A South African judge on Monday criticised the government for allowing Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, to leave the country in defiance of a court order.

"The conduct of the respondents to the extent that they have failed to take steps to arrest and detain the President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir is inconsistent with the constitution of the Republic of South Africa," Judge Dunstan Mlambo said.