Parliament gave the go-ahead for South Africa to conclude...

Parliament gave the go-ahead for South Africa to conclude revamped extradition and anti-crime treaties with the United States geared to swifter action against international crime syndicates and money laundering. The new extradition agreement, expected to be implemented in 2001 replaced a 1947 treaty. It was approved by both Houses of Parliament along with a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The extradition treaty provides for an assurance by the country requesting extradition that, if found guilty of an offence covered by the treaty, the person will not be executed. "When the offence for which extradition is sought is punishable by death under the laws in the Requesting State, and is not punishable By death under the laws in the Requested State, the Requested State may refuse extradition unless the Requesting State provides assurances that the death penalty will not be imposed, or if imposed, will not be carried out," the treaty states.