Presidency slams DA for 'disinformation' around Special Envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas
The DA claims that Washington has 'formally rejected' Jonas' credentials. We talk to DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the US. Picture: X/@GovernmentZA
The Money Show's Stephen Grootes is joined by Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, and political analyst Sandile Swana.
The Presidency has issued what could be termed a scathing statement in response to claims by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas 'is not welcome in Washington D.C.', and that President Cyril Ramaphosa has been aware of this 'for months'.
According to the DA, the US denied Jonas a diplomatic visa in May this year and has formally rejected his credentials, informing the Presidency that he would not be recognised as South Africa’s official interlocutor.
The statement was issued by MP Emma Louise Powell, DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation.
"The Ramaphosa administration was explicitly advised on multiple occasions, that Jonas was not acceptable to Washington and was urged to appoint an alternative envoy."
Democratic Alliance
The Presidency hit out at what it calls the DA’s latest effort to embarrass Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to North America.
It cautioned South Africa against treating 'DA disinformation' on matters of international relations and diplomacy as official government policy.
"The DA seeks to add sensationalism to its claim by suggesting President Ramaphosa and Mr Jonas face a crisis in view of the United States’ pending implementation of trade tariffs announced several days ago by President Donald Trump."
The Presidency
The statement also pointed out that special envoys do not present diplomatic credentials to host countries in the way designated heads of mission or other diplomats are.
It is common cause that President Ramaphosa has not yet sent Jonas to the US on any diplomatic mission as yet, says DIRCO's Chrispin Phiri, although he was appointed to the position.
"He has not been officially given the duty to go and present any type of message to the US, and the point of credentials doesn't even arise because at no point does a special envoy present credentials."
Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson - DIRCO
"We would have thought from Powell's stature as someone who engages with international relations on a daily basis, that she would know this... It is really a strange statement we're seeing from the DA."
Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson - DIRCO
Phiri also highlighted the timing of the DA's statement as the Presidency did, coming as it does at a time of trade tensions with Washington.
For more detail, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article