Pretoria's bizarre handling of the case of a prominent gay rights activist it wanted to deport to Uganda raises broader questions about South Africa's stance on gay rights on the continent.
Yesterday, following a flurry of legal action and outrage from rights groups, Dr Paul Semugoma was released after four days in custody. In an out-of-court settlement, the Department of Home Affairs granted Semugoma a special work permit allowing him to continue working in the country - provided that he withdraws his application for asylum.
Semugoma, who has lobbied fiercely against Uganda's impending draconian anti-gay legislation, was detained on Monday by immigration officials at OR Tambo International Airport because his visa had expired.
The doctor, who twice in 2012 had applied - unsuccessfully - for a work permit, obtained a high court interdict preventing his deportation on Tuesday, but said officials had ignored the order and were trying to put him on a plane on Wednesday.
While yesterday's settlement is to be welcomed - had he been deported, Semugoma's life could have been in danger because of his activism - uncomfortable questions remain about South Africa's commitment to protecting gay rights on the continent.
Pretoria has been eerily quiet about Uganda President Yoweri Museveni's stated intention to sign into law a bill that prescribes jail terms, including life in prison, for ''aggravated homosexuality''.
While world leaders, including President Barack Obama, have strongly criticised Uganda over its impending crackdown, South Africa - the only country on the continent whose constitution protects gay rights - appears to have lost its voice. We failed to even muster a whimper last month when Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a law criminalising same-sex relationships and providing for jail terms of up to 14 years.
It is time for the land of Mandela to do a whole lot more to ensure that vulnerable communities on the continent get the protection they need.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
