The Presidency has issued a stern warning to South Africans not to mistake the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) “disinformation on international relations and diplomacy” for official government policy.
The statement comes in response to the DA’s recent claims targeting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to North America, Mcebisi Jonas.
The DA has alleged that the US rejected Jonas’s “credentials,” rendering him unable to fulfil his role as Special Envoy.
Sensationalised its claims
According to the presidency, the opposition party further sensationalised its claims by suggesting that this supposed rejection, combined with President Donald Trump’s recently announced trade tariffs, has created a crisis for Ramaphosa and Jonas.
The Presidency has dismissed these claims as baseless. It clarified that special envoys, unlike designated heads of mission or diplomats, are not required to present diplomatic credentials to host countries.
“Mr Jonas has played a significant role in supporting the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) in developing trade proposals for ongoing negotiations with the United States,” said the statement from the presidency.
These negotiations, conducted in good faith, aim to secure mutually beneficial terms.
Strengthen diplomatic ties with the US
Additionally, Jonas has been assisting the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation with the US, a longstanding partner.
The Presidency emphasised that Jonas’s work complements, rather than supersedes, the leading roles of DTIC and DIRCO.
“The Presidency noted that President Ramaphosa’s recent telephonic discussions with President Trump and his working visit to Washington in May 2025 have not necessitated an urgent trip by Mr Jonas to the US. The administration expressed concern over the DA’s persistent campaign to undermine South Africa’s national interests, accusing the party of attempting to embarrass and belittle the country and its representatives.”
DA promoted an ideological agenda
The Presidency traced the DA’s actions to a visit to the US earlier this year. During the visit, the party allegedly promoted an ideological agenda rather than South Africa’s national interests.
The statement accused the DA of aligning with a “right-wing nexus”. One that seeks to leverage foreign influence to alter South Africa’s democratically developed policies.
“The DA’s campaign is also seen as a reaction to President Ramaphosa’s decision to remove Andrew Whitfield as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
“Further, the Presidency criticised the DA for its derogatory remarks against countries like Cuba and international organisations such as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. Such statements, it warned, jeopardise South Africa’s international relations. And they could harm businesses and livelihoods dependent on robust global trade ties.”
The Presidency urged South Africans to reject the DA’s disinformation. And it reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the country’s interests through constructive diplomacy and trade negotiations.
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