DIRCO believes it is making inroads in efforts to reset relationship with US

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) believes it is getting through to United States (US) officials as Pretoria tries to reset its relationship with Washington.

Ties between the two countries turned sour after the US intensified its disinformation campaign.  

ALSO READ: DIRCO delegation meets US officials, clarifies SA's expropriation, equity laws

Despite continuous attempts to correct the narrative fuelled by some lobby groups, the US has accused South Africa of using the Expropriation Act to orchestrate violent land grabs against Afrikaners.

US President Donald Trump has taken it upon himself to intervene, offering white farmers what he believes is a lifeline.

Head of public diplomacy at DIRCO, Clayson Monyela, said: "The SA-US relationship is one that we value. It’s a very important one. It’s mutually beneficial, and it’s important that we keep working on this file because it benefits both countries and the people of both countries."

He said the ongoing talks were key to making sure the US did not make policy decisions based on untruths.

"It’s important to engage them so that when they’re in rooms where decisions are taken, at least part of the consideration will be actual facts, not misinformation."