THE CABLE
South Africa says it is considering an amendment to its laws to address the “unfairness” of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The amendment would domesticate the Rome statute so that it reflects all the articles of the treaty.
This includes the provision of Article 98 of the statute — which requires a waiver of immunity for persons charged by the ICC from third-party countries where there is no referral by the United Nations Security Council.
Vincent Magwenya, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He said the country will also work to revive the Malabo protocol that would establish a continental criminal court aimed at complementing the ICC as a court of last resort.
Magwenya said South Africa would continue to campaign for equal and consistent application of international law.
He added that although there were discussions to withdraw from the ICC as a last resort, the country was still a signatory to the law.
