Pretoria — Cabinet has approved the State's entering into a treaty with Mexico on the Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

"The treaty is to provide for more effective cooperation between South Africa and Mexico in the fight against crime and to provide for the extradition of fugitives between the two countries," said Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Collins Chabane.

During a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Chabane said Cabinet had also approved the submission of the treaty with the Republic of Korea on the Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters to Parliament for ratification.

"The treaty aims to improve effectiveness of the law enforcement authorities of both countries in the investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime through cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters," he added.

The minister said it was important to ensure that loopholes were eliminated so that the criminal syndicates operating throughout the world did not have the space to run from the law.