The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services on Tuesday said there was no record of a request for cooperation from the Namibian Police Force regarding the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Farm.
The ministry said it has closely followed media reports and a statement by the Namibian police concerning a request for mutual legal assistance in respect of David Imanuwela, a suspect in the crime.
“We can categorically state that, to date, there is no official record of this specific request,” said Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of Justice, and Correctional Services.
Media reports on the matter said Namibian police were accusing SA authorities of not cooperating with them.
It was further reported that SA authorities failed to tell Namibian police whether the 2020 burglary at Phala Phala Farm had been registered in South Africa.
However, Phiri said there was “no record” of such a request from the Namibian police concerning the Phala Phala investigation.
He explained that such requests were made in two specific ways.
Service Process 1
The requesting State submits the request at the South African Embassy or High Commission in that particular State.
The South African Embassy or High Commission would then submit the request to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
DIRCO then provides a proof of receipt and then transmits the request to the Central Authority, being the Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Service Process 2
Alternatively, the requesting State can serve the request for mutual legal assistance via its Embassy or High Commission in the State from which it seeks information or assistance.
The requesting States Embassy or High Commission will serve the request on DIRCO.
DIRCO then provides proof of receipt and transmits the request to the Central Authority.
“When reference is made to diplomatic channels, these are the processes that are being referred to,” said Phiri.
“We can confirm that, to date, all requests for mutual legal assistance have followed these processes without any complications between the two states Namibia and South Africa.”
He said South Africa and Namibia continue to work together “in a collaborative manner” on issues of mutual legal assistance under the Southern African Development Community Protocol and other related bilateral treaties.
“So far there has not been any development that necessitates any change of approach when dealing with matters of this nature,” said Phiri.
Audio: Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of Justice, and Correctional Services.
