Question NW3911 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
04 December 2023 - NW3911
Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, in light of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s condemnation of the continued incarceration and repeated refusal by the Zimbabwean Government to grant bail to Zimbabwe’s political activist and former Member of Parliament, Job Sikhala, who has been in custody for over 500 days, her department has undertaken any steps to intervene and implore the Zimbabwean Government to respect Mr Sikhala’s human rights and respond to the calls for his immediate release from unlawful custody; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South Africa respects the legal and judicial system of Zimbabwe. As a country, we believe that all legal avenues should be used if there is a legitimate belief that Mr Sikhala is being detained unjustly. The Department will engage with the report of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to assess whether measures outside of the national legal system of Zimbabwe may be necessary.