Govt sets record straight on Mbeki's visit

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad says the Mauritian protocol demands that every head of state visiting that country should meet the Head of Government and the Chief Justice.

Pahad says the South African government decided that President Thabo Mbeki should not meet the Mauritian Chief Justice because of the current case involving ANC President Jacob Zuma.

Pahad today briefed the media at the Union Buildings on various issues that included the situation in Kenya, the Comores and the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe. He said Mbeki's meeting with the Mauritian Chief Justice may be misinterpreted as interference in the justice system of that country.

Zuma is waiting for word from the Attorney-General of Mauritius.

On Friday, the Mauritian Attorney-General had asked for more time to prepare his documentation in Zuma's court battle. Rama Valayden wants to counter Zuma's attempt to prevent Mauritius from handing documentation seized in 2001 over to the NPA, to be used against Zuma in his upcoming corruption trial.

Democracy in Mauritius has grown
Meanwhile, Mbeki has applauded Mauritius as a stable African nation that continues to uphold and respect democratic order and the rule of law. Mbeki was speaking in the island's capital Port Louis at an official banquette in his honor late last night.

This morning Mbeki and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam met for bilateral talks ahead of the island's 40th independence anniversary this afternoon.

Mbeki has described Mauritius as a beacon of democracy and justice since the island achieved its freedom and independence over the past 40 years.

Free trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region topped discussions between the two leaders, especially with regard to its urgent implementation this year.

Ramgoolam has lauded Mbeki's leadership in the SADC region and the rest of the African continent.