Briefing by Department of Justice on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaty Between South Africa & People’s Republic of China (PRC)

Meeting report

SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
20 August 2003
BRIEFING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ON THE MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS TREATY BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC)

Chairperson: K Mokoena ANC (Northern Province) 

Documents handed out;
Explanatory Memorandum on the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaty.

MINUTES
Mr NJ Makhubele, Director of International Affairs from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, said this was a standard treaty and South Africa has similar treaties with many states. There were no financial implications derived from this treaty. He recommended that the committee approve it. 

Mr B Mhkalipi ANC (Mpumalanga) asked for clarity on costs incurred by police officials travelling to the PRC as a result of the treaty.

Mr Makhubele said normally the requesting country would be liable for document translation costs. Travel costs were budgeted for and were therefore not considered an additional expense.
The PRC was an important nation even though many believed ‘things are not well’ there.

Many committee members asked for clarity on what ‘was not well’ in the PRC.
 
Mr Mokoena said that couples may only have one child in China. He said it is an honour and privilege to approve this treaty. 

The treaty was approved and the meeting was adjourned.