South Africa's Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Zane Dangor, has defended the government's decision to issue a second demarche to US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Bozell. The move was aimed at averting a diplomatic incident, Dangor told Parliament. He explained that the government was concerned that Minister Ronald Lamola would be turned away upon arrival in the US, following the announcement of visa restrictions.
The demarche was issued to clarify whether Minister Lamola was among those on the US visa restriction list. Dangor emphasized that the matter was serious enough to warrant a demarche, as it could have led to a bigger diplomatic incident if Lamola was barred from entry upon arrival at a US airport. He also noted that the visa list is anonymous, and citizens will only know if they have been banned from entering the US when they apply for a visa or upon arrival.
US Ambassador Bozell has faced three demarches in the nine months since his arrival in Pretoria. In an interview with US broadcaster Fox News, Bozell scoffed at being called in a second time, saying he could not confirm or deny whether Lamola was on the visa restriction list. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for Bozell to be expelled, with the party's Nqobile Mhlongo saying he should be declared persona non grata and leave the country.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) had questioned the government's engagement with Bozell, prompting Dangor's explanation. The EFF's call for Bozell's expulsion was rejected by some, with ANC MPs instead calling for stricter legislative provisions to act against South African individuals who peddle misinformation about the country on visits abroad. Minister Lamola has supported the call to clamp down on those spreading misinformation.
Dangor explained that demarches are official engagements through which governments convey diplomatic information and do not necessarily amount to rebukes. He emphasized that the government's goal was to avoid a diplomatic incident and not to escalate tensions with the US. The US Ambassador's comments have sparked controversy, with some calling for a stronger response from the South African government.
The issue has highlighted the sensitive nature of diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US. The two countries have a significant partnership, with the US being one of South Africa's largest trading partners. However, tensions have been rising, with the US announcing visa restrictions on certain South African individuals.
The South African government has been walking a tightrope in its relations with the US, balancing the need to maintain good diplomatic relations with the need to protect its citizens' interests. The government's decision to issue a demarche to Bozell was aimed at clarifying the visa restrictions and avoiding a diplomatic incident. The issue remains a sensitive one, with both sides seeking to protect their interests.
Key points
- The South African government issued a demarche to US Ambassador Bozell to clarify visa restrictions and avoid a diplomatic incident.
- The EFF has called for Bozell to be expelled, citing his comments as racist and an apartheid apologist.
- The ANC has called for stricter legislative provisions to act against South African individuals who spread misinformation about the country abroad.
