News24
11 Jun 2021, 04:41 GMT+10
Lesotho said on Thursday that several of its diplomats had been expelled from South Africa over the illicit peddling of duty-free alcohol.
The foreign affairs ministry in Maseru said South Africa had given the diplomats and their families 72 hours to leave the country.
South Africa had taken the decision because the diplomats violated laws "specifically, the illicit trade in duty-free alcohol", it said in a statement.
South African media have reported that cash-strapped Lesotho diplomats have been bringing alcohol into the country, without paying duty, and then re-selling it in bars and restaurants.
READ | SARS busts diplomats for allegedly selling illicit alcohol, cheating taxman out of R100m per month
The ministry expressed "disappointment and embarrassment that several Basotho diplomats...have been declared persona non grata" by South Africa.
It vowed disciplinary action when the officers return home.
READ | SA diplomat who 'trashed' Vienna apartment accused of causing R53k in damage in India
A leaked note from the South African government, sent to the foreign ministry in Maseru, lists 12 diplomats, including spouses, who "have abused their diplomatic privileges".
South Africa's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to queries for comment from AFP.
Get a daily dose of Kenya Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.
More InformationLONDON, England: Following a request by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Horniman Museum in London has agreed ...
ACCRA, 11th August, 2022 (WAM) -- Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, received Amer Al Alawi, ...
ATHENS - Greek authorities say a search and rescue operation is ongoing for a second day for dozens of migrants ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]/Cape Town [South Africa], August 11 (ANI): MI Cape Town, today announced the signing of 5 players ahead ...
Dubai [UAE], August 11 (ANI): Sri Lankan batting legend Mahela Jayawardene opines that star Pakistan batter Babar Azam can dethrone ...
KIGALI, RWANDA - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Rwanda, the last stop on his three-nation tour of ...
DELHI, India: India's defense ministry has said that the country has offered to sell 18 Tejas light single-engine jet combat ...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland, fearing fuel shortages, is weighing the rationing of fuel, to begin as early as September, according to ...
OTTAWA, Ontario: Military trainers from Canada will head to the United Kingdom to teach Ukrainians new techniques for fighting the ...
ISTANBUL, Turkey: Turkey's current accounts are expected to record a deficit of $3.4 billion in June and end the year ...
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar - According to a leaked internal document obtained by the press, companies awarded government contracts are being investigated ...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland is set to receive one of three ships that have sailed from Ukraine filled with grain. The ...