Newsman’s Stay Extended Until Jan. 31
Los Angeles Times correspondent Michael Parks will be allowed to stay in South Africa to appeal the revocation of his work permit, Home Minister Stoffel Botha said Friday.
Parks was told Tuesday that his work permit would not be renewed and that he must leave the country by Dec. 31.
“As a result of my earlier decision not to renew the work permit of Mr. Michael Parks, journalist of the Los Angeles Times, I have received a request from Mr. William Thomas, editor and executive vice president of the newspaper, for a personal interview when representations will be submitted for reconsideration of the decision,” Botha said in a statement from Pretoria.
He said he will meet Parks and Thomas on Jan. 13.
“Meanwhile, I have authorized Mr. Parks to continue his residence in South Africa until Jan. 31,” he said.
Since a state of emergency was declared by President Pieter W. Botha on June 12, four other foreign journalists have been ordered to leave the country.
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