The South African Embassy in Suva is waiting for a response from its head office in Pretoria on the request of Fijian Government to waive immunity for a diplomat allegedly involved in a fatal road accident in Suva earlier this month.
In response to the questions from FBC, the South African High Commissioner to Fiji, Velelo Kwepile, says they are aware of the Fiji government’s request to waive the immunity against its official, Theodorus Mostert.
Ashneel Singh, 26, was killed in a car accident after his car was allegedly hit by Mostert.
Kwepile says the request has been forwarded to their Head Office and they are waiting for a response.
In a government statement released yesterday, the Fijian Foreign Affairs Ministry, says they are working with the Police and other relevant Government agencies, including the High Commission of South Africa.
Kwepile had earlier met with the family of the deceased on two different occasions and the family had asked that Mostert be kept in Fiji until the investigations is complete.
The Commission has also forwarded a request by the family for compensation to Pretoria.
Kwepile had earlier said Mostert had to leave because his family asked him to return to South Africa for medical reasons as he had been the victim of assault.
Under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, the South African Government has the right to waive the diplomatic immunity accorded to its official who was involved in the accident.
