Cape Town – The Presidency has accused Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen of attempting to micromanage the government of national unity (GNU) and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that while the DA is entitled to its own foreign policy stance, it cannot impose that view on the president.
This follows Steenhuisen’s criticism of Ramaphosa’s remarks at the BRICS summit, where he referred to Russia as a “valuable ally”.
Steenhuisen said that the DA rejects this characterisation, labelling Russia as an authoritarian regime violating international law.
“The Democratic Alliance does not consider Russia, or Vladimir Putin, to be an ally of our Nation,” party leader John Steenhuisen said in a statement.
“We cannot and will not agree that South Africa should consider an authoritarian regime, that is currently violating international law by waging an imperialist war of aggression against a sovereign state, as an ally,” he said.
But according to reports, Magwenya said: “The DA retains the right to maintain their individual foreign policy position.
“However, they can’t impose that position on the President under the guise of the GNU.”
He added: “Their statement is an attempt to micromanage the president, which will not be allowed regardless of the importance and the respect the president attaches to the GNU.
“He will not be micromanaged by the DA, or any party for that matter, in the exercise and management of foreign policy.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu