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Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera
PHOTO: Amos Gumulira, AFP
- South African officials did not “unduly compromise” diplomatic courtesies with the delegation of Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera on Friday.
- This after the police searched his plane twice in search of the fugitive Shepherd Bushiri.
- The matter will be dealt with through diplomatic channels.
The Department for International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) says that at no time did South African officials “unduly compromise the normal diplomatic courtesies extended to visiting presidential delegations” when Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and his entourage left South Africa last Friday.
Chakwera’s plane was searched twice by police, once at Waterkloof Air Force Base and then at OR Tambo International Airport, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed to the Internal Affairs Portfolio Committee on Tuesday.
After Shepherd Bushiri, accused of corruption, and his wife, Mary, failed to appear for registration with the police as part of their bail conditions, the police went to Waterkloof, where all the passengers’ passports were kept except for the Chakwera and his wife’s. scrutinized, Motsoaledi said.
READ | WANTED: Hawks Guns Bushiri For ‘Skipping Country’
The flight was already delayed because a group of Malawian officials, who entered via OR Tambo, wanted to leave with the rest of the delegation via Waterkloof.
According to Motsoaledi, this could not be done.
Treatment ‘unacceptable and unsatisfactory’
On Monday, the Malawian government expressed dissatisfaction and dismissed his treatment as “unacceptable and unsatisfactory”.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the department said:
South Africa and Malawi enjoy cordial relations carried out at the highest level, as evidenced by the recent official working visit of His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi.
“This was a successful visit, which allowed His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and his counterpart to review the state of bilateral relations.”
According to the statement, Ramaphosa and Chakwera were satisfied with the current state of bilateral cooperation.
“The issue of the alleged delay in the departure of the Malawian presidential jet from Waterkloof Air Force Base was regrettable and unavoidable. The delay was caused by important security, logistical and procedural processes,” the statement read.
Concerns ‘addressed’
These processes created some concerns and misunderstandings within the Malawi delegation. These concerns have been addressed. It is important to note that at no time did South African officials unduly compromise the normal diplomatic courtesies provided to visiting presidential delegations.
“Matters related to the events at Waterkloof Air Force Base will be discussed and communicated through diplomatic channels.”
The department said South Africa remains committed to working with Malawi to ensure mutually beneficial relationships.
The chair of the International Relations Portfolio Committee, Tandi Mahambehlala, said in a statement that it was important that relevant departments in both jurisdictions resolve the issue of Bushiri’s escape quickly.
She said:
It cannot be appropriate for Bushiri to pit regional trading partners against each other. Malawi and South Africa historically have strong bilateral and regional ties that must be strengthened and respected.
“The claims of xenophobia that Mr. Bushiri made in seeking sympathy from his government are a concern and could compromise South Africa at a time when it should lead the recovery of regional economies,” he said.
Mahambehlala asked people not to believe a story that Chakwera had smuggled Bushiri out of the country after his state visit.
Warrant
“This issue has been clarified by both countries and if it is perpetuated further, it may unfairly compromise President Lazarus Chakwera.”
Over the weekend, it emerged that the self-proclaimed prophet Bushiri and his wife were in Malawi after bail was breached.
Illuminated church leader Christian Gathering along with his wife and three other people are accused of fraud involving around R102 million.
The couple were released on bail of 200,000 rand each.
On Friday, they did not appear to register with the police.
On Saturday, they said they had fled because they believed their lives were in danger and that they would not get a fair trial in South Africa, in an interview broadcast on the church’s social media channels.
An arrest warrant has been issued for the Bushiris.
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