Pretoria moves to address diplomatic rifts

At the same time, other African nations have taken aim the continental powerhouse which is adjusting to this role two decades into its democracy. Legalbrief reports that its first all-race elections coincided with Rwanda's genocide 20 year ago. Ironically, South Africa has become a popular destination for perpetrators - and victims - of that tragedy. Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, who leads South Africa's Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, last week addressed relations between the two countries which worsened after the murder of former Rwandan spy chief Patrick Karegeya in Johannesburg at the beginning of the year. 'The point to be made is that there are good diplomatic relations between SA and Rwanda, and those still remain intact. But, having said that, the SA government has taken a decision to declare persona non grata certain persons from Rwanda and Burundi who violated article 41 of the Vienna Convention and article 9 of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act,' Radebe reportedly said. The Mercury notes that he said the two violations were the main reason why Rwandan diplomats were asked to leave the country earlier this month. 'As the South African government, we want to send a stern warning to anybody anywhere that our country will not be used as a springboard to do illegal activities, and that we are a constitutional democracy, and that any individual or groups of people who abuse our human rights dispensation will face the full might of the law,' Radebe is reported to have said. Full report in The Mercury

Before Karegeya's murder, there was the 2010 assassination attempt on the life of Faustin Nyamwasa, the former Rwandan general turned vocal critic of President Paul Kagame's regime. Armed men then broke in Nyamwasa's Johannesburg home earlier this month in another apparent assassination attempt (he was not home). South Africa's security forces were able to tie the break-in to three Rwandan diplomats working from their embassy in Pretoria (a Burundian diplomat was also apparently involved). The Department of International Relations (Dirco) wasted no time in taking action, revoking the diplomats' credentials and sending them packing. Rwanda was just as quick to respond. 'We have expelled six South African diplomats in reciprocity and concern at South Africa's harbouring of dissidents responsible for terrorist attacks in Rwanda,' said Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo. In a Daily Maverick column, Simon Allison notes that the rift between Rwanda and South Africa is likely to have implications far beyond their bilateral relationship. 'As part of the East African Community, Rwanda maintains very close ties with Kenya and Uganda. If sides must be taken - and it certainly looks like that is what South Africa is angling for - both countries would certainly favour their regional neighbour. Kenya wouldn't need much convincing, anyway, with the current Kenyan administration already unhappy about South Africa's stubborn commitment to the International Criminal Court (unsurprising, given that it is led by two men on trial at The Hague), Of more immediate concern is the Democratic Republic of Congo, where South African troops are part of a United Nations force fighting rebels in the eastern provinces on the border with Rwanda. Those rebels are generally assumed to be supported by Rwanda, making the conflict something of a proxy war.' Full Daily Maverick column

Nigeria has also taken aim at South Africa following the 'merciless attack' by police on one of its nationals in Cape Town. BBC News reports that an amateur video purportedly shows the man being stripped, assaulted and handcuffed by policemen and security guards. Nigeria subsequently sent a 'strongly worded' note to Pretoria, demanding justice for the man. Two South African police officers have been arrested. 'The Nigerian High Commission will continue to monitor the case with keen interest until justice is achieved,' the ministry said in a statement. A report on the allAfrica.com site notes that Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador SS Yusuf has spoken to the victim, Clement Emekeneh, to sympathise with him, assuring him of the mission's support 'and the necessary steps taken to protest to the host authorities'. Full BBC News report Full report on the allAfrica.com site

Tensions between South Africa and neighbouring Mozambique have also risen after prison authorities in Maputo dismissed claims that guards were s exually exploiting female South African prisoners in exchange for basics, such as soap. A report in The Citizen notes that the director of Mozambique's prison operations, Samo Goncalves, told reporters that the correctional services had 'never' received reports of such abuses. The prison authorities 'believe them (the allegations) to be false and devoid of truth', Goncalves is quoted in the report as saying. Pretoria this week called for an investigation into allegations published in South Africa's Sunday Times that female inmates in the Mozambican capital were forced to have s ex with prison officials in exchange for sanitary pads, soap and other basic items. The paper cited allegations in a letter smuggled out of the country's main women's prison and said it had spoken to inmates who alleged nightly attacks. Full report in The Citizen