Presidency slams DA for "harassment" of Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Presidency condemned the DA’s claims that Jonas had been “rejected” by the United States and was unable to perform his diplomatic role.

The DA has also attempted to link Jonas’s appointment to rising trade tensions between South Africa and the United States, following tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump earlier this month.

“The DA seeks to add sensationalism to its claim by suggesting President Ramaphosa and Mr Jonas face a crisis,” the Presidency said.

“Special Envoys do not present diplomatic credentials to host countries in the way designated Heads of Mission or other diplomats do.”

The Presidency clarified that Jonas has been working alongside the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) on key trade proposals and has also supported efforts by the Department of International Relations and Co-Operation (DIRCO) to strengthen South Africa’s diplomatic ties with the U.S.

It said there had been no need for an urgent visit to Washington by Jonas, as President Ramaphosa has already engaged directly with his U.S. counterpart via a telephonic conversation and a working visit in May.

“Mr Jonas’s outreach does not in any way supersede the leading role played by the DTIC and DIRCO,” the statement read.

The Presidency went further to accuse the DA of undermining South Africa’s national interests for political gain, referencing the party’s recent trip to the U.S. and its criticism of international organisations like Cuba and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

“The DA has positioned itself as part of a right-wing nexus that seeks to use a foreign state to effect changes to democratically developed national policies in our own country.”

The statement also alleged that the DA is attempting to exploit current diplomatic engagements with the U.S. to protest President Ramaphosa’s removal of DA member Andrew Whitfield from his post as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The Presidency warned that the DA’s actions risk damaging critical international relationships and could threaten the livelihoods of South Africans employed in trade-dependent sectors.

“If the DA were to succeed in undermining South Africa’s relations with various nations or institutions, the party will harm the viability of businesses and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of South Africans.”

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