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INVESTIGATED: Marc Ravalomanana must still account for the shooting that left at least 40 protesters dead in his country in 2009 PHOTO: KATHERINE MUICK-MERE

The NPA confirmed that the initial material it had obtained suggested "reasonable evidence" of crimes against humanity, the Sunday Times reported.

Ravalomanana fled to South Africa in 2009 after weeks of tension in Madagascar, exacerbated by his guards opening fire on peaceful protesters, killing about 40.

NPA official Bulelwa Makeke said: "The process of collecting evidence is under way and discussions with the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation have been held".

This came after a Malagasy group, the Association of Martyrs of Antananarivo Merina Square, laid a complaint with the NPA four months ago.

The group submitted a dossier including affidavits by alleged victims, video and reports on what happened in Madagascar before Ravalomanana's exit. Makeke said the decision on whether to prosecute lay with the national director of public prosecutions.