- The South African government has confirmed recalling its senior diplomat from United Kingdom after some of his family members were said to have taken part in alleged "transgression".
A spokesman person of the South Africa's foreign ministry, Ronnie Mamoepa, said the recall of the unnamed senior diplomat was by a mutual agreement between the South African and the British government, which was in accordance with standard diplomatic practice.
'Sunday Independent' reported that this impromptu transfer came when the diplomat's family members were accused of acting in transgress. It was revealed that two of his family members were reportedly being investigated by the British police. They are being investigated for carrying a "spray gun", holding a youth at knife-point and stealing an MP3 player.
The South African government spokesman however did not want to go into such details as had the national press. Mr Mamoepa only said that at no stage had the diplomat been implicated in any of the alleged transgressions by his family members.
According to the diplomatic protocol, Mr Mamoepa added, if a diplomat or his next of kin, who is covered by diplomatic immunity, commits an offence in a foreign country, the host country is entitled to request the sending country to lift the diplomatic indemnity.
Upon his return, he would therefore resume his duties at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria.
He said that foreign affairs still sees the diplomat in good standing and would therefore resume duties there upon return.
"The transfer was occasioned by certain transgressions allegedly committed by some members of the family of the affected diplomat and in the best interests of consolidating the excellent diplomatic relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom," he said.
The South African foreign affairs department is said to be finalising for the return of the official and his family to South Africa. It is not known if the UK affair will have legal consequences for the diplomat's family members upon returning home.
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