Pretoria - Government says it is still in talks with the United Arab Emirates about the return of Professor Cyril Karabus to South Africa.
“There are currently intense engagements taking place on the imminent return of Prof Karabus,” International Relations and Cooperation’s spokesperson, Nelson Kgwete, said.
Karabus was convicted and sentenced to three years in absentia on charges of manslaughter and falsifying documents after the unfortunate death of a young leukaemia patient he treated in Abu Dhabi 11 years ago.
A University of Cape Town emeritus professor and retired paediatric oncologist, Karabus has been in detention in the UAE since August last year after he was arrested in Dubai while in transit.
On Tuesday, a UAE judge turned down an appeal against Karabus’s acquittal last month, which cleared him of all charges of brought against him.
Kgwete said the family and government remained “very hopeful”, and called on the media and the public to refrain from speculating on the outcome of the process.
“The South African government reiterates its call for calm on this matter until the judicial process has been concluded.”
He added that government would continue to monitor developments around the case, maintain diplomatic contact with the UAE authorities, Karabus, his family and legal team.
South Africa has, since the beginning of the case in August 2012, remained seized with the matter, providing extensive consular assistance to Professor Karabus and his family.
The South African Embassy staff in Abu Dhabi regularly visits and keeps in contact with Karabus. – SAnews.gov.za
