South African-Swiss relations refers to the
current and historical relations between
South Africa and
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
. South Africa has an embassy in
Berne and a general consulate in
Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in
Pretoria and a general consulate in
Cape Town.
Trade
Switzerland did not participate in the
United Nations-led boycott of apartheid South Africa, though it did observe the arms-embargo. As a result, in 2002 Swiss banks
UBS
UBS Group AG is a multinational Investment banking, investment bank and financial services company founded and based in Switzerland. Co-headquartered in the cities of Zürich and Basel, it maintains a presence in all major financial centres ...
and
Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse Group AG is a global investment bank and financial services firm founded and based in Switzerland. Headquartered in Zürich, it maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world and is one of the nine global " ...
faced a $50 billion lawsuit in the
United States. Lawyer
Ed Fagan led the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs. South African human rights lawyer
Dumisa Ntsebeza
Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza (born 31 October 1949) is a South African lawyer, public speaker, author and political activist born in Transkei, now the Umtata, Eastern Cape.
Professor Lungisile Ntsebeza is his brother. He is the chairman of the Desmon ...
also coordinated the suit. The Swiss banks firmly denied the charges. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.
A Swiss-government funded study revealed in 2005 that Swiss company
Sulzer AG provided parts used in South African nuclear weapon-related uranium enrichment, providing necessary fissile material during the 1970s.
How the Swiss helped apartheid South Africa to build the bomb'
The Telegraph, 29 Oct 2005
See also
* SwissCham Southern Africa
* Foreign relations of South Africa
* Foreign relations of Switzerland
References
External links
South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Switzerland
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
Bilateral relations of Switzerland
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