SA strangely silent on trampling of gay rights on continent

21 February 2014 - 02:53

By The Times Editorial

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.