A South African court on Wednesday Feb 22,2017 ruled the government's plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) was "unconstitutional and invalid", providing a boost to the embattled Hague-based institution.
The ICC has been rocked by threats of withdrawal in recent months, with complaints focusing on its alleged bias against Africa.
South Africa announced in October it had lodged its decision to pull out with the United Nations(UN) following a dispute over Sudanese President Omar al Bashir visiting the country in 2015.
South African authorities refused to arrest Bashir despite him facing an ICC arrest warrant over alleged War Crimes, saying he had immunity as a head of state.
"The cabinet decision to deliver the notice of withdrawal... without prior parliamentary approval is unconstitutional and invalid," said judge Phineas Mojapelo in the North Gauteng High Court.
The president and ministers "are ordered forthwith to revoke the notice of withdrawal," he added.
The court ruling was a setback for President Jacob Zuma's government, which could appeal.
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party, which was one of the groups that brought the court case, welcomed the judgement.
"The withdrawal by the South African government from the ICC was irrational and unconstitutional," DA lawmaker James Selfie told
"We would like South Africa to stay in the ICC because we believe that it is consistent with our constitution and with the legacy of Nelson Mandela.
"The government should go back to the drawing board and reconsider the thing afresh in light of this judgment."
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