"Our mission in the UAE [United Arab Emirates] informed us that the appeal judge rejected the appeal lodged yesterday [on Tuesday], ahead of it being heard," said the spokesperson for department of international relations and co-operation, Nelson Kgwete.
"This is an encouraging sign, because it means the professor is one day closer to coming home and being reunited with his family in South Africa."
Kgwete said the prosecution had the right to lodge a second appeal, but had not indicated whether it would.
The 78-year-old South African paediatric oncologist has been detained in the UAE since August 18, after being sentenced in absentia for the death of a Yemeni girl he treated for leukaemia in 2002.
Karabus was found not guilty after being placed on trial in Abu Dhabi for manslaughter and falsifying the medical documents of a patient. His name was cleared by a medical review committee that the court ordered should be established to look at his case.
The family is extremely grateful for all the help received in trying to end their nightmare, but want to try to get him home as quickly as possible. Members of the medical fraternity around the world have joined in their condemnation of his detention, as have his former patients and their families.
"I would like to thank the South African government, the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the minister of international relations and cooperation for their continuous efforts to ensure a positive outcome. In particular I would like to thank Deputy Minister Marius Fransman for the personal interest he took in my case," said Karabus in his statement last month. – Sapa