South Africa proceeding with plans to leave the International Criminal Court

South Africa’s government is proceeding with its plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The country’s Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha, announced South Africa’s intention on Wednesday, and will soon submit his country’s notice of withdrawal from the Rome Statute – the treaty that established the ICC.

Masutha added, that Zuma administration would also introduce an International Crimes Bill, through which parliament would be requested to remove legal uncertainty regarding South Africa’s international obligations under both domestic and international law.
“The Bill repeals the current Rome Statute Implementation Act – which makes the Rome Statute domestic law – and enacts international crimes similar to those in the Rome Statute.
The new legislation will grant extra-territorial jurisdiction to our courts and proposes continued co-operation with other States and international bodies, including the ICC,” Masutha said.

The South African government had earlier decided to withdraw from the ICC, however, its notice to do so was ruled invalid by the High Court in Pretoria in March, as proper procedure had not been followed. This was because the notice had to go through Parliament, not Cabinet, the court ruled.

South Africa joins Burundi in leaving the ICC.