Prosecute cowboy officials who sent man to face gallows

Things are falling apart. The centre cannot hold. And it gets worse when government officials disregard their seniors and do as they please. But why should we be shocked?

The Department of Home Affairs is racing against time to try to save the life of a Botswana citizen, Edwin Samotse, who was "illegally" returned to Gaborone to face a murder charge.

Botswana had sought Samotse's extradition but our ministers and senior government officials demanded assurance from our neighbour that it would not hang him. The Botswana government refused to allay South Africa's fears.

South Africa has over the years, as a constitutional principle, refused to deport anyone to a country that might impose the death sentence.

We are told that some overzealous junior Home Affairs officials, without authority or clearance, took Samotse from his police station cell and drove him back to Botswana.

We demand a full inquiry. How can junior officials act in such a way?

They cannot be allowed to disregard the rules and escape censure.

If South Africa is to be respected and taken seriously by its neighbours, it should enforce its laws and restrain officials who behave like cowboys. Those who decided on their own initiative to release Samotse and take him back to Botswana must explain their conduct.

It is such acts that are cumulatively pushing South Africa over the precipice and towards full membership of the banana republic club.

Samotse's " rendition" shines a light on how so many in government write their own rules every day and get away with it.

If we are unable to secure the rights of individuals we must forget about being a beacon of hope in the region. Whether Samotse is guilty is irrelevant. South Africa had a duty, once he was in our care, to protect him.

The Gupta wedding scandal and now Samotse's case show that it's a free-for-all in South Africa.

Irrespective of whether we get Samotse back, those responsible for his illegal extradition should be prosecuted.