"acting in the interest of the Republic of South Africa". Besides citing the act pertaining to the granting of immunity by the minister, this is the only reason stated for granting immunity in this case. Is it really in the interest of the country on a whole? I can cite two repugnant cases where the government and DIRCO did the "wrong thing" in general, but maybe where national interest at least had thread of reality. 1. al Bashir: OK,  in this case, the screw-up happened by total ignorance by government by allowing him to come and not "diplomatically" asking him to rather send a representative delegation in his stead and a concomitant ignorance of local civil society's will to see a genocidal leader brought to justice. That said, he was a sitting "head of state" and after letting him in but not out could have a serious repercussions. 2. Not allowing the Dalai Lama, to come to South Africa. China's global wealth and influence and history of pulling specific investments....