No action taken against Afriforum and Solidarity despite misinformation campaign

No action has been taken by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) against Afriforum and Solidarity for perpetuating misinformation that resulted in tension with the US government, Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes said.

“We are concerned by what seems to be a campaign of misinformation and propaganda aimed at misrepresenting our great nation,” Botes said when responding to questions from EFF MP Nqobile Mhlongo on Thursday.

He said South Africa’s 30 years of democracy was a result of overcoming decades of apartheid rule through a negotiated settlement that sought to build a united nation by accommodating all South Africans.

 “We still hold the view as government of our stated goal of nation-building.”

Botes also said South Africa’s diplomats and officials were in touch with the US embassy in Pretoria and state department in Washington.

“We will assist in consultation with the Presidency on the official delegation that goes beyond normal diplomatic engagements.”

He added that ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool was engaging with members of the US Congress.

“The dilemma we are faced with, because of the unique changes in the new administration has brought about in the state department currently in the bureau for African affairs responsible for foreign services, is that you have junior officials currently without necessary authority,” he said.

“We will continue to engage law makers in the US. Our expectation is once you have a fully staffed bureau responsible for African affairs, we will the heighten engagement with identified officials,” Botes said.

He added that President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a commitment to mandate special envoys to the US.

“The House will recall that there is a special envoy constituted already during the sixth administration to look at the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) and work was on course.

“There is clarity of purpose in relation to government’s foreign policy as it relates to the US. We regard the US as a strategic bilateral partner of South Africa,” Botes added.

However, Botes noted that non-state actors were starting to play a prominent role in foreign policy.

“South African non-state actors in the form of Afriforum and Solidarity are antithesis to advancing foreign policy based on human solidarity, based on a mutual value system.”

He said while no action had been taken against them, Afriforum and Solidarity’s campaign was not focused on the South African realities.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za