The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has slated the recent visit to Taiwan by the DA mayor of Tshwane Municipality, Solly Msimanga.
In a statement on Monday, Department spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, said that Msimanga’s visit “was in breach of South Africa's foreign policy and is highly regretted.”
Department spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, said “the Department was made aware of the visit and advised Mayor Msimanga not to undertake the visit as it would constitute a breach of our One China Policy.”
“In a move that is highly regrettable, Mayor Msimanga disregarded DIRCO's advise and proceeded with the visit,” Monyela said.
“Taiwan is not recognized as a sovereign state by South Africa and the United Nations. South Africa maintains a Liaison office in Taipei as does the Taiwanese in Pretoria. The Liaison Office does not enjoy the status of an Embassy,” he said.
“By travelling to Taiwan against the considered advice of DIRCO, the executing arm of South Africa’s foreign policy, Councillor Msimanga has transgressed (i) government policy with respect to our existing diplomatic relations with China, (ii) the spirit of cooperative governance as enshrined in the constitution and (iii) brought our foreign policy into disrepute. He has started a precedence which, if allowed, can only render the entire system of government impotent,” the ANC said.
But, the DA hit back saying the ANC’s criticism of Msimanga’s visity was “hypocritical”.
In a statement from DA spokesman for international relations, MP Stevens Mokgalapa, the party said Msimanga’s visit to Taipei was aimed at “job-creating investment.
“With 9 million jobless South Africans, the DA praises the attempt by Mayor Msimanga to encourage investment in South Africa. This is what our country needs to create jobs and fight poverty,” he said.
“This simply isn’t a priority for the ANC – they are a party of cronyism, fighting to protect corrupt interests. The people of Tshwane, like the rest of South Africa, come stone last.”
