South Africa’s hypocrisy: What happened to these “warning” letters for Rwandan dissidents?

On 6^th August 2012, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) released a statement telling the world that it had warned Rwandan dissidents through official letters to desist from conducting political activities on its territory. News of Rwanda is publishing the letters, and asks whether they were merely public relations stunts.

In the past week, South African officials including Justice Minister Jeff Radebe have claimed that Rwandan diplomats were involved in “illegal activities” which prompted them being sent out of the country. The SA establishment has won some points from the incident that was faked from Pretoria itself. At least for now, ordinary South Africans have been diverted away from their biting problems.

However, like Rwanda Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo suggested, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe and his comrades have not told you that they have not addressed an issue constantly raised with them about Rwandan dissidents in your country. Instead, Pretoria has chosen to play blame game.

“Rwandan fugitives continue to engage in terrorist acts back home. Despite repeated promises from Pretoria, the problem is unresolved,” said Mushikiwabo on Wednesday. The “unresolved” problem Mushikiwabo refers to is addressed in the letters below.

These letters were sent by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to Kayumba Nyamwasa and Patrick Karegeya. The letters show the South Africans themselves recognized that they are keeping criminals on their territory but chose, from the highest levels, to spend taxpayer’s money on their protection.