South Africa: African National Congress Secretary – General Fikile Mbalula said that President Cyril Ramaphosa would not sign the visa-free agreement between South Africa and Ukraine.
Last week, Minister of Home Affairs – Leon Schreiber announced about this on his official social media platform via ‘X’ handle. He expressed that he was delighted to sign the agreement.
Schreiber also claimed that the visa-free agreement between South Africa and Ukraine, the Presidency said that it was yet to be signed. This, then led to a spat on social media with some in the ANC saying that the Democratic Alliance minister is misleading the public.
Schreiber said in his post that he had now referred the agreement to President Ramaphosa to add his signature. He said, “Leon Schreiber claims to have signed the Ukraine agreement. He is crazy and overly excited. Comrades are angry but I’m not bothered because I know the president won’t sign it.”
Reportedly, the agreement has been in the pipeline since the year 2020 and intends to allow Ukrainian diplomats visa-free access to South Africa.
The controversial agreement to grant Ukrainian diplomats visa-free access to South Africa has sparked outrage within the political circles.
Considering this, Minister of Home Affairs of South Africa – Leon Schreiber, who is from a different party to the president announced the deal last week, terming Ukraine a ‘valued ally’.
However, the presidency has criticised Schreiber for announcing the false information reagrding the agreement without any formal authorisation from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The agreement between the two nations plays a vital role as the critics see the deal as an affront to South Africa’s long-standing relationship with Russia.
The African National Congress (ANC) conflicts with the Democratic Alliance (DA), over the relationship of South Africa with Russia. Although, ANC is the largest coalition partner of DA.
ANC has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid three decades ago. It losted its majority during the general elections held in may, which forced it to deal with other political parties.
President Cyril Ramaphosa raged DA by calling Russia a ‘valued friend’ during the BRICS Summit, held in Kazan. As DA previously criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Considering this, Schreiber posted a note on ‘X’ and said that he has signed an historic agreement which grants visa-free access to the country for Ukrainians who hold diplomatic, official and service passports, and vice versa too.
The minister defended the decision and highlighted the support by South Africa for Ukraine during its struggle against apartheid. Presidency replied to it and said that Schreiber’s announcement was premature, as he had not received any confirmed authorisation from the president.
Spokesperson for Ramaphosa – Vincent Magwenya responded to this on ‘X’ and said that it is still unclear that how the minister can announce the signature of an international agreement, without any prior formal authorisation confirmation.
Minister of International Relations – Ronald Lamola hosted his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha and said that the agreement is yet to be concluded and signed. He added that once all the diplomatic processes have been concluded, the agreement will be signed and they will announce once all those processes have been followed.
Spokesperson for MK party – Nhlamulo Ndhlela stated the objective of the agreement and said that the agreement with Ukraine aims at facilitating an influx and quasi-evacuation of the defeated right-wing Ukrainians to South Africa, comprising of the racist pro-white imperialist DA.