South Africa expels Malawian diplomats over booze scandal | Malawi News
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South Africa said diplomats had been ordered to leave after being found guilty of “illegal trafficking in tax-free alcohol”.
Malawi has said some of its diplomats have been expelled from South Africa after being found guilty of compulsory alcohol trafficking.
The Malawian Foreign Ministry in Lilongwe said on Friday that South Africa had given 72 hours for diplomats and their relatives to leave the country.
The South African Ministry of International Affairs said in a statement that the decision was made after investigating the breach of diplomatic privileges by diplomats for “illegal trafficking in tax-free alcohol”.
Pretoria said investigations into similar offenses by other accredited missions in South Africa are “at an advanced stage and similar measures will be taken if convicted.”
The Malawian Foreign Ministry has expressed “displeasure” at the fact that “Malawian diplomats … people where they have been appointed grata” and have ordered disciplinary measures when officials return home.
Several Lesotho diplomats were expelled from South Africa on Thursday for similar reasons.
South African media reported that Lesotho-funded diplomats brought alcohol to the country without paying any duties and then resold it in bars and restaurants.
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