Parliament, Thursday, 9 March 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation will soon engage with counterparts on justice to take the process of South Africa’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) forward.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Siphosezwe Masango, said the Committee welcomed the court ruling on the matter and that, apart from clarifying roles in line with the doctrine of separation of powers, it asserted Parliament’s role in the legislation-making processes.

“It is worth noting that the Court did not find the decision on withdrawal from the ICC to be unconstitutional, but rather the implementation of it ‘without prior Parliamentary approval’,” Mr Masango said.

The Department of Justice and Correctional Service was invited to brief the Committee on the court ruling and order, and indicated that Cabinet is implementing the order.

The Committee will invite both Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation and Justice, to another Committee meeting for further discussions.

Henceforth, both Committees of International Relations and Cooperation and Justice will consider and initiate the appropriate course of action.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON, MR SIPHOSEZWE MASANGO

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