Former top judge Albie Sachs is circumspect about SA’s move to leave the ICC
But Sachs has said he shares the view that SA ‘would be in a strong position to bring improvements to the ICC in its manner of work and in its reach’
Struggle stalwart Albie Sachs said he "didn’t go out in the streets and dance when I heard the step had been taken" for SA to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The announcement was made by Justice Minister Michael Masutha‚ who said the statute impeded SA’s "ability to pursue ideals of peace and stability" as it required the country to detain or prosecute leaders accused of international crimes. Sachs‚ a retired Constitutional Court justice‚ was reluctant to "express any opinions on the legality or constitutionality" of the move as it was subject to "litigation" — the DA has approached the highest court in the land to have the decision set aside. However, he did tell Radio 702 that SA was one of the "stonemasons" of the Rome Statute. "It was the late Jackie Selebi‚ who played an absolutely key role in Rome‚ in getting the treaty through. He was praised‚ and SA was praised‚ for using all the negotiating skills to cobble together‚ to get together...
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