Minister Nkoana-Mashabane says she is confident that there is concrete evidence linking expelled diplomats to yet another foiled assassination attack on exiled former Rwandan army General Faustine Nyamwasa. (SABC)
The South African government says the country’s law enforcement agencies are making progress in their investigations of criminal activities, allegedly committed by the four Rwandan diplomats expelled from the country last week.
Four Rwandan envoys and a Burundian diplomat are accused of plotting a foiled raid on the home of exiled former Rwandan army Chief Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa a fortnight ago.
The Rwandan government responded by expelling six South African diplomats from Kigali – a move that soured diplomatic relations between the two countries to an all-time low.
The diplomatic row over the expulsion of Rwandan top diplomats from South Africa after reports that they are facilitating attacks against exiled dissidents has left Pretoria seething with anger.
“South Africa will not tolerate any acts of criminality or lawlessness emanating from anyone from anywhere in the world,” says Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
The Rwandan government has fiercely rejected claims that it was conducting criminal activities on South African soil.
Kigali had accused Pretoria of harbouring dissidents responsible for terrorism attacks in Rwanda.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane says she is confident that there is concrete evidence linking expelled diplomats to yet another foiled assassination attack on exiled former Rwandan army General Faustine Nyamwasa.
She says,”Whatever actions we will take, we will be unemotional. I confirm that evidence does exist. I’m appealing for calm and allow the police to do their work.”
Meanwhile, South African companies have significant presence in Rwanda. It is now feared that prolonged diplomatic fallout between Pretoria and Kigali could have a negative impact of bilateral trade and investment relations.
The South African government says the future of its strained diplomatic relations with Rwanda will be informed by the outcome of criminal investigations into alleged complicity of Rwandan diplomats and security agents in a spate of attacks on exiled dissidents.
http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/1e14b40043502db09cc5ff0bfd5d3b76/Investigations-into-Rwandan-diplomats%E2%80%99-alleged-criminal-acts-underway
