SA mission ignores R1.4m fines

2006-01-06 23:43

Mandy Rossouw

London - South African diplomats have run up a debt of more than R1m in unpaid traffic levies with the London traffic department, but they are not keen to pay up.

The South Africans' debt now totals £122 590 (about R1.4m) and was cited in an answer to a parliamentary question when the South Africans were indicated as being seventh on the list of transgressors.

The United Arab Emirates tops the list with £452 620.

Drivers have to pay a levy if they use their vehicles in the London city centre.

According to Simon Lewis of the British foreign office, there was no way in which diplomats could be forced to pay these levies (fines) as they enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

"No legal action can be taken against them because they have been exempted from being subpoenaed.

'An indirect kind of tax'

"It is, however, expected of them to respect the laws of the country where they are serving."

According to Lewis, all diplomatic missions in London had signed a document in which they agree to pay the fines, but some countries, South Africa included, have not paid anything so far.

A high-ranking official at the South African high commission in London said diplomats could not be held liable for the fines as it amounted to "an indirect kind of tax".

The decision not to pay had been taken by all diplomatic missions belonging to the African Union, he said.

"Diplomats are not expected to pay any form of tax when they serve in a specific country.

"For that reason, we cannot pay these fines because it goes against the letter and spirit of the convention that exempts diplomats from being taxed," he told Die Burger.

Nomfanelo Kota of the department of foreign affairs in South Africa said Friday the matter had been referred to the legal department to get more clarity on the issue.

- Die Burger