Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT AGAINST A SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMAT IN WASHINGTON
The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to confirm that it has been discussing allegations of assault involving a South African diplomat at the South African Embassy in Washington DC with the United States Department of State. Furthermore, the Department of Foreign Affairs has instructed legal counsel in the United States to investigate the matter fully and to provide a report as soon as possible.
The South African Government will cooperate fully with the United States authorities in the criminal process. As far as the Department of Foreign Affairs is aware, the prosecutor in the District Court of Maryland is also investigating these allegations, but has yet to formalise any charges.
Should the prosecutor in the case formalise charges and serve summons against the diplomat in question, the South African Government will, if requested by the US Department of State, waive the individual's diplomatic immunity in order that the matter may be resolved. Upon receiving a full report from all parties concerned in the United States, the Department of Foreign Affairs will then take a decision on whether disciplinary action is required.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 31 JULY 1998