Questions and Replies

Reply:

The African Union (AU) and its member states strongly uphold the implementation of the provisions of the Lomé Declaration of July 2000 on the Framework for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) response to unconstitutional changes of Government, and the related instruments for responding to unconstitutional changes of government. The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) is the principal organ within the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) to promote peace and security on the Continent, which includes addressing unconstitutional changes of government.

The APSA also embodies the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity. The APSA relies on the respective Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) to take the lead in the regions, including in addressing coups d’états, with the PSC following up. This was done in every case where a coup occurred in the last year, including Mali, Guinea Conakry, Sudan, and Burkina Faso, which have all been suspended from the AU. At no time has the AU ever suspended four member states in one year for the same reason, that of unconstitutional changes of government.

The Report of the Peace and Security Council of the AU on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa presented at the February 2022 AU Summit, as well as the numerous interventions by Heads of State and Government in the course of the deliberations, addressed the surge in unconstitutional changes of Government. The coups were unanimously and strongly condemned. These actions demonstrate that the AU and its members are committed to implementing the provisions of the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, and the Lomé Declaration, as well as all related instruments, in the quest to promote democracy, good governance and the rule of law on the Continent.

South Africa will assume a two-year seat on the AU Peace and Security Council on 1 April 2022 and will work steadfastly for the effective use of the APSA, including the powers of the PSC.

 

 

Reply:

a) R 961 242 959.16 is the total amount that has been paid to BT Communications

b) The owners of BT Communications are:

• BT Limited owns 70%

The Company Directors as per the Central Supplier Database for BT Communications are:

1. Abdula Khalid
2. Naidoo Presantha
3. Thomas Brian Keith
4. Ah Sing Chantelle
5. Shihabi Eyad
6. Delport Bertrandt
7. Dzvova Valentine Colleta

• Kilomix Investments (Pty) Ltd owns 30%

 

Reply:

At the35th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) that took place from 5 to 6 February 2022, the outgoing chairperson of the AU, DRC President Thisekedi, emphasized the need to exert concerted efforts in realizing Africa’s 50-year continental development Agenda 2063; namely the need to silence the guns across the African continent; to consolidate the African architecture of peace and security and to immediately reactivate the African Standby Force (ASF) to enhance its preparedness to act should the need arise. At this time, a draft MoU between the AU and RECs/RMs on the ASF, which will formalize and strengthen partnership between the AU and sub-regional organizations on the deployment of the ASF, is being circulated. The MoU will provide the official framework in terms of which the AU anRECs/RMs collectively deploy the ASF, when required in terms of the AU Constitutive Act and the Protocol on the Establishment of the AU peace and Security Council (PSC).
 

Reply:

a) Number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid by the department :

(aa) Number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid for more than 30 days.

• 497 invoices

(bb) Number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid for more than 60 days.

• 03 invoices

(cc) Number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid for more than 90 days.

• 03 invoices

(dd) Number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid for more than 120 days.

• 01 invoice

b) The total amount outstanding in each case

(aa) R488 342.68

(bb) R4 624.99

(cc) R62 148.01

(dd) R45 321.36

c) By what date is envisaged that the outstanding amounts will be settled?

• It is envisaged that all the invoices mentioned above will be processed for payment by the 15th of March 2022.

Reply:

The Republic of South Africa is working within the established protocols of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address stability and the political situation in Eswatini. The SADC is already engaged to support the Kingdom to resolve the challenges. This work is done within the overall objective of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation which is to promote peace and security in the Region as stipulated under article 2.2. of the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation.

President Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation appointed Special Envoys to engage with His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini on the escalating security and political developments in the Kingdom. This was a follow up to a SADC Organ Fact Finding Mission which visited Eswatini in July 2021.

Consultation with stakeholders, including with the King, the Government, civil society and diplomatic corps on the ground, highlighted the need for an inclusive national dialogue in an appropriate forum.

Following a meeting between President Ramaphosa and King Mswati III held on 2 November 2021, it was agreed that the SADC Troika would assist in the development of terms of reference for the national dialogue. The National Dialogue will work to facilitate a peaceful, orderly and inclusive national multi-stakeholder political engagement in order to identify and implement sustainable solutions to Eswatini’s political and security challenges. In this regard, a draft framework has been developed by the SADC Troika and will be presented to the Eswatini Government in due course.

South Africa is part of the SADC collective and cannot alone decide on who should be held responsible for the conflict. South Africa supports peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and does not impose its will on the territorial integrity of other countries.

In this regard, the SADC Troika is pursuing an inclusive process and therefore the proposed dialogue is not premised on who could be an aggressor and/or victim as it is the dialogue that will be undertaken by parties representing all sectors of society for their common good.

Reply:

a) South Africa maintains relations with both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the territory of Taiwan, albeit at different levels.

South Africa established diplomatic relations with China in January 1998, as per the ‘Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations’. In paragraph 3 of the Communique, South Africa recognises that “there is but one China in the world, the Government of the PRC is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and recognises China’s position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China”. As per this same agreement, however, South Africa could maintain its ties with Taiwan, albeit that they are limited to economic, scientific, and cultural exchanges.

In line with South Africa’s foreign policy principles as they relate to respect for other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, South Africa thus does not perceive either China or Taiwan as the (i) aggressor or (ii) the victim.

b) The question of “what assistance does the Government intend to offer to show solidarity with the victim”, therefore, does not arise. South Africa strictly adheres to the “One China Policy” and accordingly regards Taiwan as an integral part of China (when calculating bilateral trade, the total volumes of trade with Taipei/Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong are added to China’s). While South Africa enjoys comprehensive strategic relations with China through its representative offices located in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, South Africa also maintains low-key commercial, scientific- and cultural engagements through its Liaison Office in Taipei.

Reply:

The African Union (AU) has, as an element of its African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS). The CEWS was established in line with Article 12 of the PSC Protocol with the mandate to facilitate the anticipation and prevention of conflicts in Africa. Its role is to collect data to anticipate and prevent conflicts on the continent as well as to provide timely information on evolving violent conflicts. Equally, the Union strives to ensure there’s sunergy’s between APSA and the African Governance Architecture (AGA).

The continent has recently witnessed the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government. South Africa believes that as part of an architecture of efforts to eradicate the scourge of coup détat’s in Africa, it is imperative to underscore the significance of addressing the underlying courses of unconstitutional changes of government and violent conflict. In this regard, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in its drive to promote democracy and good governance on the continent, and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) remain the most profound instruments at the disposal of the AU and its Member States to utilise to effectively end the scourge of coup détat’s. The AU PSC has agreed on the need for the review of the AGA and the Lome Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government, a process that should result in AU instruments that are strengthened to appropriately respond to this challenge. Equally, the PSC has agreed to the importance of enhancing the contribution of the APRM in early warning for conflict prevention in harmony and synergy with the APSA and AGA. The work of the APRM in areas of democracy good governance, human rights, rule of law and the acceleration of political, social and economic integration of the Continent are key considerations in this regard.

The role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RM) and Member States, as partners, on continental early warning, implementing the APSA, AGA, APRM and Master Roadmap on Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030 cannot be overemphasized.

Reply:

The Office of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Minister Pandor/Department, did not receive the correspondence referred hereto. In this regard, there was nothing to be brought to the attention of the Minister as the correspondence is non-existent.

Reply:

(1) South Africa’s position has been (and is) continuing to encourage all the parties to strengthen all diplomatic efforts to avoid an escalation of tensions, and work towards an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful solution based on cooperation and dialogue. In this regard South Africa encourages all parties to approach dialogue with the spirit of compromise in order to move the process forward without accusing any party, something that will not be helpful in the efforts to resolve the conflict. South Africa stands by its principled position of peaceful resolution of conflicts.

(2) South Africa’s position has been (and is) continuing to encourage all the parties to strengthen all diplomatic efforts to avoid an escalation of tensions, and work towards an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful solution based on cooperation and dialogue. In this regard South Africa encourages all parties to approach dialogue with the spirit of compromise in order to move the process forward without accusing any party, something that will not be helpful in the efforts to resolve the conflict. South Africa stands by its principled position of peaceful resolution of conflicts.

(3) The BRICS partnership is built on a common commitment to multilateralism and the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, inclusiveness, and strengthened collaboration. In paragraph 22 of the BRICS New Delhi Declaration issued on 9 September 2021, BRICS Leaders expressed concern at the continuing conflicts and violence in different parts of the world. The BRICS Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States and reiterate that all conflicts must be resolved by peaceful means and through political and diplomatic efforts in line with international law, in particular the UN Charter. BRICS Leaders also underscored the inadmissibility of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

 

Reply:

a) (i) The Government of South Africa’s approach to the situation between Russia and Ukraine is based on our unique approach to all global issues expressed through our Diplomacy of Ubuntu and the vision of a better world for all. As a human-rights based constitutional democracy, South Africa engages globally rooted in our values of human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms, non-racialism, non-sexism and the rule of law. In line with the White Paper on Foreign Policy, South Africa embraces multilateralism as an approach to solve challenges confronting the international community. Therefore, Government approaches conflict between states by promoting dialogue to achieve conflict resolution.

(ii) South Africa’s position has been (and is) continuing to encourage all the parties to strengthen all diplomatic efforts to avoid an escalation of tensions, and work towards an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful solution based on cooperation and dialogue. In this regard South Africa encourages all parties to approach dialogue with the spirit of compromise in order to move the process forward without accusing any party, something that will not be helpful in the efforts to resolve the conflict. South Africa stands by its principled position of peaceful resolution of conflicts.

b) South Africa will continue to share with the global community its experience of conflict resolution through negotiation and to use its voice in multilateral fora to promote cooperation over competition and collaboration over confrontation.

Reply:

The International Tribunal is not an international tribunal which has been formally established by the State or the United Nations or any other international organisation, consequently, its finding have no legal standing. The Government of South Africa is under no obligation to issue a statement

Reply:

1. Mr KE Mahoai and Mr C Ramashau

1. Director-General and Chief Financial Officer (c) 10/02/2021 and 01/03/2021

(d) Both Officials were dismissed after due processes were followed. Mr Mahoai was dismissed on 04 September 2021. Mr Ramashau was dismissed on 01 October 2021.

1

Reply:

 

The post of Ambassador in Thailand became vacant on 15 December 2020; Yes, the next Ambassador has been informed of their posting.

 

Reply:

(1) 30 June 2022.

(2) Yes, the next ambassador has been informed of their posting.

(3) Yes, the Ambassador in Khazakstan was extended until 30 June 2022.

 

 

Reply:

 

 

The AU has and continues to advocate for the easing of debt burden owed by African countries, especially the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) and Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), with the majority of them coming from the African Continent. The devastating impact of the debt burden to the economies and sovereignty of many countries in the Continent is hard to ignore. It is for this reason that the AU has and continues to use multiple approaches to urge developed countries including International Financial Institutions to ease the debt burden owed by African countries. This includes the utilisation of the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Finance, which is an STC composed mainly of Ministers of Finance.

South Africa, in its capacity as the Champion of Covid-19 for the African Union, nominated by the AU Assembly in 2021, was tasked with the responsibility soliciting debt relief measures for AU Member States from donors and international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors such as China. However, such measures are determined by bilateral and contractual obligations, underpinned by the sovereignty of each member state.

Reply:

The African Union is constituted by Member States who have the sovereign rights to determine their domestic priorities in line with their national interests. The prerogative to choose or establish measures to reduce debt burden or relief solely rest with each Member State of the African Union.

Nevertheless, and to the extent to which the debt becomes a burden to AU Member States, the AU has and continues to advocate for the easing of debt burden owed by African countries, especially the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) and Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), which the majority from them come from the Continent. The devastating impact of the debt burden to the economies and sovereignties of many countries in the Continent is hard to ignore. It is for this reason that the AU has and continues to use multiple approaches to urge the developed countries including International Financial Institutions to ease the debt burden owed by African countries.

At the Heads of State level, the AU Assembly has on numerous occasions taken bold resolutions and decisions urging the developed countries as well as International Financial Institutions to ease the debt burden owed by African countries. The Heads of States and Government of the AU have also been extremely vocal against the imposition of unilateral coercive measures on the right to development, international relations, trade, investment, cooperation, and peace and stability by African countries and countries such as Cuba.

The AU Ministers of Finance and Trade continue to use the annual Special Technical Committee of the AU to urge the G7, China and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to ease the debt burden owed by the African countries.The AU Ministers of Finance and Trade also use the international meetings at the UN, WTO, and Meetings on Financing for Development to advocate for the easing of debt burden owed by African countries.

AU Commission as the Organ responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Organisation as well as the AU’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOC) continue to engage the International Financial Institutions and with the support of the United Nations, the Commission has played a huge role in advocating for the easing of debt burden by African countries.

South Africa for its part, used its Chairship of the AU in 2020 to advocate strongly for the easing of debt burden by African countries, whose ability to pay their debt has been affected heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic. As early as March 2020, President directly engaged with the leaders of both the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as the leaders of the G7 to play their part in easing the debt burden in the Continent. South Africa also used its membership of the G20 to remind the 20 largest economies in the world of the urgent need to address the debt burden and its impact on the LDCs and HIPC. In March 2020, President Ramaphosa appointed NgoziOkonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, Donald Kaberuka of Rwanda, Tidjane Thiam of Senegal and Trevor Manuel of South Africa. The goal of the Special Envoys was to secure debt relief of US$44 billion, a generalised suspension of interest payment for all of Africa’s economies, and a stimulus package of US$100-150 billion. The suspension of payment of interests to IFIs will go a long way in easing the burden by African countries and will greatly assist many of the African countries to prioritise the revival of their respective economies, which has been devastated by the pandemic.

While the negotiations for the debt cancellation still ranges on, the gains made in the easing of debt burden needs to be noted. Thanks in large part to South Africa and indeed other AU Member States the World Bank and the IMF has and continues to engage the African on this matter and there are already positive outcomes. To date, more than 28 countries from Africa are benefitting from the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) established by the Paris Club.

South Africa and other Member State of the AU will continue to use the convening power of the AU to continue to advocating for the easing of the debt burden owed by African countries so that African countries should not face the difficult choice of having to either pay their respective debt or revive their economies, amid the pandemic.

Reply:

Since the beginning of the Libyan crisis in 2011, South Africa has been calling for a political solution to the crisis in Libya as the only viable means towards achieving durable peace. We believe that the holding of free and fair national elections on 24 December 2021 will create confidence whilst at the same time contributing towards the enhancement of security, stability and development for the Libyan people.

South Africa supports the ongoing efforts of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council. We have consistently called for the AU to remain seized with the Libyan conflict with a view towards ensuring the achievement of transition towards a stable, durable and inclusive political order in the interest of all Libyans. South Africa is also a member of the AU High Level Committee on Libya, chaired by President Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo. We also acknowledge the efforts of the AU high Representative for Libya in his continuing enagement with the various stakeholders in Libya.

At the United Nations (UN), South Africa has made consistently articulated its principled position on the matter. In this regard, and as a member of the UN Security Council from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020, we called for a peaceful political solution that is Libyan-led and owned, emphasizing the importance of unified institutions and reconciliation among Libyans. In addtion,South Africa supported peace efforts in Libya by voting in favour of a number of resolutions. The latest of which are 2570 and 2571 (2021), which were aimed at creating conditions conducive for an intra-Libyan political process under the auspices of the UN. South Africa has also welcomed the efforts of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) aimed at bringing about an early and peaceful resolution to the Libyan crisis.

We met Libya at UN and offered assistance with elections preparation and constitutional process. We indicated that South Africa’s experience of transition could be of great help to Libya especially the writing of a new constitution and training of public service.

Finally, South Africa reiterates its support for free, fair, peaceful and credible elections in Libya.

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME: DR JOHNNY PITSWANE

CONTACT: x10982

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Minister signs Parliamentary Reply 2635.

 

MR TC MONYELA

ACTING DIRECTOR–GENERAL: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 2635 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

DR GNM PANDOR, MP

MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

DATE:

Reply:

a) The South African Government remains steadfast in its approach with regard to the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) and its support for the State of Palestine. The establishment of a viable Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace with Israel, within the internationally recognised borders, which came into existence on 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in compliance with all relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and internationally agreed parameters, remains a fundamental pillar of South Africa’s Foreign Policy. The commitment of solidarity with the Palestinian people made on 8 June 2021, as well as South Africa’s reaction to the granting of Observer Status to Israel by the African Union, are testimony to the Government’s efforts to bring Palestine back into the global mainstream.

b) The Government has indicated its views on the Miss Universe pagearnt and called on Miss South Africa to refrain from participating in the pageant. Miss South Africa has not agreed to the governments proposal.

Reply:

His Excellency, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, is seized with the engagements to bring about lasting solution to the political challenges in Eswatini.

To this effect, President Ramaphosa dispatched SADC Organ Troika Special Envoys to Eswatini from 21-22 October 2021, to engage with His Majesty King Mswati III, the Eswatini Government, civil society stakeholders, and diplomatic community on the ground, on ways to de-escalate the situation and chart the way forward. The Special Envoys were duly supported by the SADC Secretariat.

As a follow up to the visit of the SADC Organ Troika Special Envoys, the President visited Eswatini on 02 November 2021 to further engage with King Mswati III. Consequently, Emaswati agreed to undertake, with the assistance of SADC, a national dialogue process which will be initiated and owned by all stakeholders.

 

Reply:

1. From the time South Africa successfully hosted the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in Durban in 2001, our country has been in the forefront, particularly at the continental and multilateral/global levels to ensure that the outcomes of the Durban Conference are not only promoted, but are implemented by all countries around the world. It is important to note that the global anti-racism agenda and its programmes (such as the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD)) face incredible opposition from major powers, institutions and interest groups. Despite these challenges, South Africa has managed, working with our partners on the African continent and in the Diaspora, to still register some achievements and successes in the fight against racism and in pursuit of the goal to promote and implement the outcomes of the WCAR. The following are examples of how South Africa played a key role (despite the opposition from other countries and organisations) in promoting and implementing the outcomes of the WCAR in general and the IDPAD in particular:

(i) the adoption of resolution 68/237 by the UNGA and the actual declaration of 2015-2024 as the IDPAD with the objective, inter alia, of (a) reinforcing the actions and measures aimed at securing the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of people of African Descent, and their full and equal participation in society; (b) providing an operational framework for the eradication of current and historical social injustices and work towards eradication of racial prejudices and discrimination that people of African descent still experience; and (c) contributing to a greater knowledge, appreciation and respect for people of African descent and their contribution to the economic, social, intellectual, cultural and ethical development of humanity;

(ii) the creation of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Follow-up to the Durban Declaration and programme of Action that meets annually in Geneva;

(iii) the creation of a dedicated thematic Special Procedure Mechanism of the Human Rights Council for people of African descent called the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent;

(iv) the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards whose mandate is to “elaborate, as a matter of priority and necessity, complementary standards in the form of either a convention or additional protocol(s) to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, filling the existing gaps in the Convention, and also providing new normative standards aimed at combating all forms of contemporary racism, including incitement to racial and religious hatred”;

(v) the resolutions that South Africa and the Africa Group (in Geneva), pioneered, which resolutions sought to focus the world’s attention on the plight of African-Americans in the US and Africans and people of African descent in other countries following the murder of George Floyd on Africa Day (25 May) 2020;

(vi) the follow-up resolution that South Africa sought to place before the Human Rights Council that sought further to demonstrate the need for the rights of people of African descent to be respected and protected (this was in the aftermath of the killing of Lindani Myeni (a South African) by the Honolulu police in the US);

(vii) in 2012, South Africa hosted the Global African Diaspora summit in Sandton, Johannesburg and adopted a Programme of Action, which, inter alia, committed African and Diaspora leaders to “leverage the collective efforts of the African Union and all its inter-governmental entities in regions in which African Diaspora populations are part of to promote and advance issues of critical importance to Africa and its Diaspora;

(viii) the role that South Africa played (through the Presidency and the Ministry/Department of International Relations and Cooperation) in raising awareness and drumming up support for the special commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the WCAR as evidenced by: (a) South Africa lobbying for support and actually obtaining it from the Human Rights Council (HRC) and other partners during the HRC Session in February 2020; (c) the keynote address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the special meeting of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN in February 2021 on the theme: “Reimagining equality: Eliminating racism, xenophobia and discrimination for all in the decade of action for the SDGs”; as well as (d) the holding of the webinar jointly organised by DIRCO and the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg in July 2021; and

(ix) the speech by President Ramaphosa at the 20th anniversary of the WCAR during the UNGA in September 2021 wherein he, among other important issues, called for reparations for the victims of slave trade.

(2) In all the programmes, resolutions and initiatives aimed at promoting and implementing the outcomes and follow-ups of the WCAR and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), South Africa has always sought to cooperate with the African Union and the structures that pursue the interests of the Union (such as the Africa Group in Geneva and New York). The resolutions that South Africa has led on and championed in the Human Rights Council in Geneva (such as the so-called George Floyd resolution) were promoted and adopted with the full support of the Africa Group. During South Africa’s chairship of the AU (2020), South Africa and President Ramaphosa in particular played a key role in leading the continent and galvanising global support for Africa’s capacity to respond to covid-19. In his engagements with partners across the world, President Ramaphosa underscored the need for Africa, the Africa Diaspora, and people of African descent in general to be given due consideration in all programmes aimed at fighting covid-19 since it was this group of people who find themselves on the receiving end of poverty, inequality, and other forms of social injustices. In working with the AU and other structures such as the Africa Group, the countries of SADC are/were always included.

Notwithstanding the challenges South Africa has experienced and continues to encounter in our fight against racism and the recognition and respect for the rights of people of African descent, in the programmes that South Africa has led on e.g. on human rights of people of African descent and access to vaccines that prioritised the interests of people of African descent, South Africa has registered great successes (see discussion above).

(3) There is a lot of work that still needs to be done to promote IDPAD in South Africa, on the continent and in the African diaspora and South Africa should continue to take the lead in this regard. The previous summits, conferences and meeting organised and hosted by South Africa as well as resolutions and decisions championed by South Africa at multilateral fora focusing on issues of interest to people of African descent bear testimony to our commitment not only to promote IDPAD but to ensure that resolutions, actions and programmes aimed to benefit people of African descent are implemented. As a way of deepening cooperation between South Africa and CARICOM countries, South Africa had contemplated the possibility of building a complex in Pretoria that would house the diplomatic missions of countries in the CARICOM, but because of financial constraints, this project could not take off the ground.

(4) South Africa was instrumental in the formulation of the theme of the 20th anniversary of the Durban anti-racism conference, which was “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent”. The calls for reparations and for social justice for people of African descent, particularly victims of the (trans-Atlantic) slave trade are always met with great opposition from a number of countries, particularly some western countries and some of their social partners (NGOs). Notwithstanding this, South Africa, the AU, CARICOM countries and other partners in the Diaspora have managed to keep the flame of reparations burning. The Africa-CARICOM Summit on 07 September 2021 called for a collective commitment of Africa-CARICOM Member States to fully participate in the High Level meeting of the UN General Assembly commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the DDPA on 22nd September, 2021 and use the event to advance the claim for reparations within the process of the UN.

For instance, President Ramaphosa at the 20th commemoration of the WCAR in September 2021 called for reparations for the victims of the slave trade. On 7 September 2021, South Africa under the leadership of President Ramaphosa participated in the inaugural CARICOM-Africa Summit hosted virtually by Kenya under the theme, “Unity Across Continents and Oceans: Opportunities for Deepening Integration.” Working with its partners on the African continent and in the CARICOM, South Africa is committed to implementing the outcomes of that important summit.

(5) South Africa does not have reporting obligations to the UN on IDPAD. Any reports in connection with IDPAD would ordinarily be the responsibility of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent which is currently chaired by Ms Dominique Day (US citizen) and the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent which was launched in August 2021. Ordinarily, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent would prepare its own report which would also be submitted to the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The latter would report on the work done in respect of the IDPAC in her report to the HRC.

 

Reply:

During the 41st Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on 17 and 18 August 2021 in Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi, the Republic of South Africa became the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

The overall objective and function of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security is the promotion of peace, security and stability as well as good

governance and democracy in the SADC Region.

The political and the security situation in the Region is relatively peaceful and stable, notwithstanding isolated challenges in some Member States (Kingdom of Lesotho, DRC, Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini) and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the Chairship of South Africa, the Organ’s focus will be on the following key issues:

• The facilitation process in the Kingdom of Lesotho;
• The deployment of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM);
• The continuation of the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC);
• The situation in Eswatini; and
• Observation of elections in the Region.
• Operationalisation of the Mediation Reference Group and Council of the Elders.

Reply:

1. The Government of the Republic of South Africa has formally, lodged an objection to the unilateral decision by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to grant the State of Israel observer status to the African Union (AU).

• 1.1 Consequently, the matter has been placed on the agenda of the AU Executive Council that will convene on 13 and 14 October 2021.
• 1.2  South Africa and other like-minded countries that have lodged objections will, at the Executive Council meeting, vigorously pursue the conviction that the AU must, as a matter of urgency, rescind the decision on Israel's observer status unless and until it complies with all United Nations (UN) resolutions concerning its withdrawal from all occupied territories and give effect to the self-determination of the Palestinian People.

(2) South Africa maintains diplomatic relations with Israel and as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Israel has an Embassy in South Africa and South Africa maintains  an Embassy in Israel. There are no plans to request the closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa.

Reply:

South Africa’s foreign policy is based on its Constitutional values and principles central to which are the rights of the Child. In the context of the post-apartheid era where an array of laws and frameworks have been put in place to protect the child, South Africa has complemented these with actions at the regional, continental and United Nations level.

In order to build on the AU campaign and promote the SADC Model Law, the AU followed up with the End Child Marriage campaign that is based on the 5 Year Strategic Plan, which commenced in 2019 to 2023. The AU campaign held in 2014-2017 needed to be built on to provide an environment to enhance the effectiveness of the SADC Model Law. South Africa, at the national level, will work with traditional leaders, teachers, church leaders and social partners to ensure the eradication of this practice in the country.

South Africa has participated in AU and SADC forums and other consultative engagements that have been held to address the issue of Child Marriages in the respective member states. It should be taken into consideration that South Africa participates as part of the collective in these multilateral engagements where member states engage and take individual decisions to domesticate AU and SADC policy positions. In this regard, South Africa as Member State of the African Union (AU) has been in the forefront of the efforts to eradicate this harmful practise including being part of the campaign to End Child Marriage through the 5 year strategic plan (2019-2023).

Reply:

1(a) Open Water Advanced Risk Solutions was appointed to conduct an investigation

(b) The investigation was completed in July 2019.

(i)(aa) the detailed findings are contained in a report, and confirm the 2017/18 AGSA findings.

(bb) the recommendations are contained in the report.

(ii) The Department has hard copies of the report.

2(a) the Director-General has been found guilty and dismissed with a 30 day notice period. In respect of other implicated officials, consequence management is currently underway.

(b) The Department brought a review application on 10 March 2018 to have the tender award reviewed and set aside by the High Court. The review application also request for the recovery of the money that was paid to the service provider by the Department. The hearing on the matter took place on 12 and 13 October 2020. The judgement was reserved and the Department is waiting for the outcome.

Reply:

a) The South African Government has not been directly approached by the mentioned organisation or Rwandan citizens or civil society on this matter.

South Africa’s foreign policy is based, amongst others, on mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries with whom it has diplomatic relations. In this regard, South Africa believes in non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries unless requested or invited to do so by the affected country or as part of a multilateral team or mandate. In principle, South Africa encourages parties involved in political conflict to settle internal disputes and differences through dialogue and within the confines of their domestic law. In the case of Rwanda, South Africa conducts its bilateral relations through the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) and high level meetings where issues of mutual concern are discussed, including those of human rights where merited.

b) South Africa has not been approached by any party from Rwanda to intervene in Rwanda. Rwanda is a member state of the East African Community (EAC) and as such, any proposals for intervention should be processed through the EAC and supported by the Rwandan parties. The success of South Africa’s national reconciliation, nation building and respect for human rights is internationally recognised and should any country wish to emulate the South African example and learn from the experience, South Africa is most willing and available to assist or share.

Reply:

1. Yes, my Department is currently engaging with the government of the United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to raise this matter within the context of our strategic bilateral relationship. Such matters form part of our ongoing engagements and exchange of views on bilateral, regional and global issues that present challenges and opportunities to both our countries. The UK has placed South Africa on the Red List meaning that both SA and UK travellers face heavy restrictions when travelling to the UK. South Africa being placed on the Red List has caused distress to many South Africans living in the UK who are unable to attend funerals of loved ones in South Africa as well as visit sick family members due to the punitive costs of mandatory quarantine they would bear on their return to the UK. The travel restrictions on travellers from South Africa has also severely impacted trade and tourism between South Africa and the UK.

In my most recent meeting with Foreign Secretary Raab, the issue of mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our economies was indeed discussed and we agreed that we need to continue our collaboration on how to best deal with this scourge.

South Africa’s High Commission in London has also held discussions with the Office of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Africa) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr James Duddridge in this regard.

The severe constraints in travel have prompted the South African expat community and others in the UK to launch a petition in order for this matter to be debated in the House of Commons. For a debate in the Commons to take place, 10 000 signatures are required. The petition has now been signed by more than 10 000 people.

As Government, we firmly believe that our country must be removed from this Red List as soon as possible and this is based on a number of issues:

• 1. Government has launched an extensive public awareness campaign on the Covid-19 virus and South Africans are taking the necessary precautions to prevent the virus from spreading. The government vaccine rollout is fully on track, and many South Africans have had their first jab of the Pfizer vaccine and are awaiting their second jabs, while the number of people opting for the One Shot J&J vaccine is also on the increase. Having covered the most-at- risk demographics, the government recently announced that the 18-34 year olds can now get vaccinated.

• 1. The South African government continuously monitors the Covid 19 situation and has established testing sites all over the country which are easily accessible to the general population.

• 1. Statistics indicate that Covid figures have decreased steadily.

• 1. The South African government has now downgraded the country to Level 3 (from level 4) due to the encouraging statistics. Restrictions are consequently relaxed.

• 1. South Africa has recently successfully hosted the British and Irish Lions tour where all Covid protocols were observed.

1. South Africa’s Covid-19 response remains a government-wide intervention. In this regard, Minister Sisulu and I are conscious that the United Kingdom (UK) is South Africa’s number one source of long-haul tourism in the world, a position it has not relinquished for the past 18 years. The travel restrictions on British passport holders during the lockdown and subsequent period have caused the numbers of British tourists to SA to reduce drastically for the year 2020 and the first half of 2021, which has negatively impacted on the tourism sector. Plans are being finalised for Government to significantly increase its lobbying efforts to ensure that South Africa is removed from the UK’s Red List soonest.

2

Reply:

1. Yes, there are thirty four (34) South Africans present in Afghanistan according to the reports from the South African High Commission in Pakistan. Thirty (30) South Africans managed to leave Kabul on evacuation flights arranged by the relevant Employers who utilised the United States of America and the United Kingdom evacuation flights. The remaining four South African citizens await evacuation arrangements by the Employers.

2. No, the South Africans are in Afghanistan on private business, mostly working for large multi-national companies, International Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and international security companies. South African citizens that approached DIRCO and the South African High Commission in Pakistan have been informed that it is the responsibility of the Employer to arrange the evacuation of their foreign staff on special evacuation flights.

Reply:

a) His Excellency, Mr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, the President of the Republic of Botswana, in his capacity as a chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation invited SADC Troika Ministers to travel to Eswatini on 11 July 2021 to meet with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and political leaderships as well as civil society and academia with a view to support the people of Eswatini towards finding a durable solution to their political challenges.

The SADC Troika Ministers was led by Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape, in his capacity as a chair of the Ministerial segment of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and included the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Naledi Pandor, as incoming chair of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Mr Frederick Shava.

As part of these developments, SADC Troika Ministers spent two days in Eswatini, which was agreed to be insufficient for the Troika to interface extensively with the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini. In this regard, a SADC sent a Fact Finding Technical Team to Eswatini from 15 to 22 July 2021 and again South Africa participated.

b) Following their visit to Eswatini, the Fact Finding Technical Team submitted a comprehensive report with recommendations to the Chair of Troika. The report has been forwarded to the Government of Eswatini for their consideration.

Reply:

1. None
2. Disciplinary processes are implemented in conjunction with Labour Relations at Head Office and through the Desk as and when a transgression arises.
3. There are currently no pending cases of any nature
4. There are currently no disputes
5. There are currently no disputes

Reply:

1 (a) 18 Transferred officials and 5 vacant posts.

(b) (i) Not Applicable

(ii) Designation

Position 1 - Deputy High Commissioner

Position 2 – Counsellor Bilateral

Position 3 – Counsellor Multilateral

Position 4 – State Security

Position 5 – Political Secretary

Position 6 - Political Secretary

Position 7 - Corporate Services Manger – Vacant since December 2019, waiting for a replacement

Position 8 – First Secretary Administration ( Acting Corporate Services Manager)

Position 9 – Third Secretary Administration

Position 10 – Third Secretary Administration

Position 11 – Counsellor ICT

Position 12 – First Secretary ICT

Position 13 - First Secretary ICT – Vacant since December 2020

 

Partner Departments:

Department of Home Affairs ( DHA)

Position 14 – Counsellor: Immigration and Civic Services

Position 15 – Second Secretary: Immigration and Civic Services

Position 16 - Secretary: Immigration and Civic Services

Position 17 - Second Secretary: Immigration and Civic Services – Vacant since December 2018 State Security:

Position 18 – Counsellor: Political

Position 19 - Political Secretary – Vacant since November 2019

 

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

Position 20 – Minister: DTI

 

Department of Transport

Position 21 – Minister Transport

South African Police Service ( SAPS)

Position 22 – Counsellor : SAPS

South Africa's National Defence Force

Position 23 - Defence & Air Advisor – Vacant since January 2020

Position 24 - Deputy Defence & Air Advisor – since August 2020

Position 25 - Defence Office Chief Clerk

(2) Yes, the Mission is fully operational.

(3) The services being provided by the office are Civic and Immigration services

which are rendered from 09h00 until 15h00 at Whitehall, SW1A 2DD.

All Consular services are rendered such as:

• The processing of legal documents for members of the public for use in South Africa. (mainly buying and selling property and banking matters)
• Support for the Department of Justice in matters relating to the UK. (Child maintenance, Service of Process, Extradition etc.)
• Supporting South Africans in distress according to the Consular handbook in matters relating to the death of a family member. (Contacting police, hospital, coroner etc. and arranging quotes for repatriation of remains.

Dealing with the Department of Health to arrange permits).

• Facilitating visas for diplomats travelling to South Africa.

(4) All services are currently being provided.

(a) and (b) Not applicable

Reply:

South Africa is one of the biggest economies in Africa and has always been an attractive destination to citizens from neighbouring countries seeking better economic opportunities. Although South Africa, the region and Africa face similar challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment, South Africa is seen as providing better economic opportunities. Inevitably this has also attracted illegal and irregular migration.

South Africa’s Foreign Policy priorities are centred on the region first and in Africa, being cognisant of the fact that South Africa’s prosperity and her ability to address inequality, poverty and unemployment are interlinked and inseparable to that of the region and Africa. In this regard, South Africa has bilateral engagements with all the countries in the region and eight countries have engagements on the highest level of Bi-National Commissions. It is through cooperation within these mechanisms that South Africa seeks to address the challenges within the areas of peace and security, social, economics and politics.

Reply:

Subsequent to the killing of Mr Lindani Myeni in Hawaii on 14 April 2021, the Department fulfilled its obligation by rendering the necessary consular assistance to the surviving spouse and the family of Mr Myeni in order to ensure the timely return of his mortal remains to South Africa and to follow up on related matters.

Upon learning about the death of Mr Myeni, the Consul-General in Los Angeles immediately informed the South African Ambassador in Washington DC. The Consulate then liaised with the Consular division at the Department to request guidance on the type of assistance that should be rendered by the Mission, after which the Consul-General liaised with Mrs Myeni to brief her accordingly.

The Consulate further communicated with the regional Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) to request a police report, including the return of the personal belongings of Mr Myeni from the Honululu Police Department (HPD). Following a delay in the return of Mr Myeni’s personal belongings by the HPD, the Mission liaised with Mrs Myeni’s attorney and also requested the intervention of the Embassy in Washington regarding this matter. The Embassy forwarded a Diplomatic Note to the State Department on 18 April 2021, in which the serious concerns of the South African Government around the circumstances of the killing of Mr Myeni was conveyed, including a request for full transparency and the release of all available information, including the 911 call that precipitated the shooting.

The South African Ambassador in Washington subsequently had a telecon with the Deputy Assisstant Secretary (DAS) in the Bureau for African Affairs in the State Department who offered his assistance to the Embassy, including to liaise with the City of Honolulu.

The Consul-General in Los Angeles was also in contact with the funeral home where Mr Myeni’s mortal remains were being kept in order to process the required documentation to obtain the death certificate to facilitate the repatriation of Mr Myeni’s remains. The Consular division at Head Office liaised with the Department of Health to process the required import permit and the Consul-General further liaised with the Provincial Government in Kwa-Zulu Natal to update them on the status of the processes underway to return the remains of Mr Myeni. The mortal remains of Mr Myeni arrived in South Africa on 30 April 2021, where it was received by the family and representatives from the Department and the Government.

The Department also conveyed to the US Embassy in Pretoria the concerns of the Government about the lack of a comprehensive report on the circumstances that led to the death of Mr Myeni and the utterances by the Mayor of Honolulu that the police had acted correctly. A request was made that the State Department should intervene to obtain a report as soon as possible and that the personal belongings of Mr Myeni should be returned to the family. A follow up request was later made to the US Embassy for Mr Myeni’s belongings, inluding his mobile phone, to be returned to his family without further delay.

As of 25 May 2021, the Consul-General in Los Angeles reported that the requested police report was still outstanding. The lawyers of Mrs Myeni undertook to inform the Consul-General once there are new developments on the matter.

Reply:

South Africa has recently issued a number of media statements strongly condemning the actions of the Israeli Government, where casualties have been mostly innocent civillians, children, women and the elderly.

South Africa recalled its Ambassador accredited to the State of Israel, Mr Sisa Ngombane, in May 2018.

The Government remains seized with the modalities related to its diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. The Department will communicate any further actions still under consideration.

Reply:

a) The Government of South Africa remains seized with the modalities in respect of the downgrading of the South African Embassy in Israel. The Department will communicate further actions upon the conclusion of our deliberations; and

b) The Government of the Republic of South Africa remains of the view that the only way to realise a lasting peace in the Middle East Peace Process, is to ensure a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel with a sovereign, internationally recognised and independent State of Palestine, based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, within recognised and secure borders.

Reply:

South Africa is committed to the establishment of a physical BRICS Vaccine Research and

Development Centre, the concept of which it initiated during South Africa’s BRICS Chairship in 2018. Government is in the process of establishing an inter-departmental task team comprising the Department of Science and Innovation, Department of Health, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The objective of the Task Team will be to re-assess South Africa’s priorities on this issue and cooperate on the operationalisation of the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre, to expedite the process under India’s 2021 BRICS Chairship and report regularly to the four Ministers.

Reply:

No, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) does not make use of private security firms. All security officers at DIRCO Head office are employed full time by the Department. The security staff complement comprises of 88 security officers who work through a shift system that has been negotiated with organised labour though the Departmental Bargaining Chamber.

The security services at DIRCO’s three State Protocol Lounges (OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International airports), are offered by Airports Company South Africa and the South African Police Service.

However, South African Missions abroad require security services, so in this case private security firms are used. Due to the limited number of personnel that DIRCO can deploy, missions rely on private security firms for security.

 

Reply:

(1)(a) Yes

(b) Yes, approval for Other Remunerative work has to be obtained and the approval is valid for 12 months (i) 120 since 01 April 2015 (ii) Line function and Administration components of the Department.

(2)(a) Yes, the policy of the Department that is followed is prescribed by the Public Service Regulations, 2016 and administred according to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Guide on Managing other Remunerative Work in the Public Service. Disciplinary steps may be considered if approval by the Director-General was not obtained.

(b) The appointed Ethics Officers in the Department receive the applications for processing and forward it to the Director-General for approval/disapproval

(c) None

(d) Not applicable

Reply:

Yes, The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation spoke to the Indian Minister of External Affairs on Monday, 1 February 2021, to convey the Government of South Africa’s profound appreciation to the Indian Authorities, after the arrival of the first vaccine shipment in the country from the Serum Institute of India.

Subsequent to the arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine the South African Department of Health decided not to go ahead with the vaccination programme of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to clinical trial results showing that the vaccine 1s less effective In preventing mild and moderate symptoms associated with the 501Y.V2 variant of the virus that is more prevalent in South Africa. Instead the South African Department of Health decided to rather continue with the vaccination programme by using the Johnson & Johnson's vaccine that has shown better efficacy against the 501Y.V2 variant.

The South African High Commissioner to India, His Excellency, Mr J.S. Ndebsle spoka to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regardlng the findings of the clinical trials and the resultant change in South Africa's vaccination programme. Tho High Commissioner is also scheduled to meet with the Ministry on Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Reply:

1. South Africa is not in a position to pronounce on whether the Ugandan Elections were free and fair because it did not observe the Elections. Based on the African Union principle of subsidiarity, which mandates regional organisations to take the lead in managing political and other issues occurring in their respective regions, South Africa defers its position to observations that were made by the East African Community (EAC) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that had sent Elections Observer Missions to Uganda. Unfortunately, the African Union did not send an Elections Observer Mission which could also have guided South Africa’s position. Both these regional authorities did not pronounce on whether the Ugandan Elections were free and fair.

 

2. The outcome of the Elections was announced by a legitimate entity in Uganda, the Election Commission, on 16 January 2021. However, it was reported on 21 January 2021 that one of the Presidential contestants, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has challenged the outcome of the Elections. He lodged his complaints with in the Supreme Court of Uganda, which is the apex court in Uganda. He also has an option of referring the matter to the East Africa Court of Justice which also has jurisdiction following the exhaustion of local remedies. South Africa supports the resolution of political disputes through political and legal means, and will await the the outcome of the judicial process which is currently underway.

Reply:

(1) No, the South African Government has not extended any help during the second wave of COVID-19 to Zimbabwe. However, it is heartening to note that the Development Bank of Southern Africa donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) during the first wave to the Government of Zimbabwe in July 2020 to help in the fight against COVID-19 at that time and for future use. The items included, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits, surgical masks, face shields, examination gloves, surgical gowns, medical suits and goggles.

Reply:

a) Both principals underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship. The US Government acknowledged South Africa as an indispensable partner and remarkable global player, as well as an important commercial partner for the US. In the area of health, South Africa acknowledged the US support for PEPFAR, which has been impactful in South Africa and the region.

Covid-19 pandemic (US): The Biden Administration has committed to working with partners in international institutions, including on continental issues. Within the World Health Organisation (WHO) context, the US has joined the COVAX initiative and will also work with other multilateral institutions to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. The US also wants to address global health security and work on climate impact with other countries.

South Africa welcomed the decision by the Biden Administration to re-join the WHO and the COVAX initiative. The US aproach aligns with South Africa’s position that there should be equitable and affordable distribution of vaccines. The focus on global health will assist to prepare less developed countries, including in Africa, to better prepare for the next pandemic, when it occurs. Mitigating the impact of climate change is also priority for South Africa and therefore the importance that the US is placing on this matter, including within the multateral context, is welcomed.

China: The US Government will adopt a more nuanced approach towards China, but the tensions with China are expected to continue under the Biden Administation. It was conveyed that South Africa and China enjoy good relations and that it was important to ensure that all countries, including the US, China and Russia, work jointly to assist those who are least able to help themselves. The Secretary displayed a willingness to further discuss this matter with South Africa.

b) According to Secretary Blinken, Africa will be a priority for the Biden Administration. South Africa raised the World Trade Organisation (WTO) position for Director-General and requested that the US Government support the candidature of former Nigerian Finance Minister, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was opposed by the former President, Mr Trump.

Shortly after the telephone conversation, the Biden Administration expressed its strong support for the Nigerian candidature.

Reply:

a) As a Member of the African Union (AU), South Africa respects the sovereignty of AU Member States as enshrined in Article 4 of the Constitutive Act of the AU. South Africa also encourages Member States through, inter alia, the AU and its Organs, to adopt a culture of human rights as a prerequisite to achieving the Africa We Want, envisaged in Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063 which envisions “An Africa with good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.”

b) In November and December 2020, South Africa participated in the 67th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), in

Reply:

President Cyril Ramaphosa in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union (AU), appointed former President Joaquim Chissano of the Republic of Mozambique, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia, and former President Kgalema Motlanthe of the Republic of South Africa, as African Union Special Envoys to Ethiopia in order to assist the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in finding a solution to the recent conflict that had occurred in the Tigray Region of that country.

The AU Special Envoys visited Ethiopia and held meetings with a range of interlocutors from 26 to 28 November 2020, including President Sahle-Work Zewde, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, the leaders of important Democratic Insitutions, and the leaders of opposition political parties. Subsequently, the AU Special Envoys have briefed President Ramaphosa on the outcomes of their visit to Ethiopia. The President will remain seized with the issue and future action will be decided in consultation with the Government of Ethiopia, the African Union Commission, and the AU Special Envoys to Ethiopia.

Reply:

The South African High Commission in London’s contract with its service provider, which hosted the website, expired in August 2020 and it took longer than expected to enter into a contract with a new service provider and to update the content. However, the new website (www.southafricahouse.uk) has been operational since November 2020 and allows High Commission staff to manage the content directly. Civic and immigration documentation is now available for download directly from the website.

Reply:

a) Over the past five (5) years the department has not received back deposits from 101 properties that have been rented abroad.

b) The total amount of the deposit is R9 393 429.44.

c) Reasons for not receiving back the deposits are:

• Damages to properties
• Deposits used by the landlord for the maintenance work and repairs of damages.
• Lease terminated by mission outside the terms and conditions of contract e.g. late notice

Reply:

South Africa as Chair of the African Union (AU) continues to follow with close interest the successful conclusion of the meeting of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Tunis, Tunisia, that took place on 15 November 2020. South Africa is committed to the establishment of peace and security throughout Libya, hence South Africa’s robust support for the Ceasefire Agreement signed in Geneva on 23 October 2020 and our continued commitment to strengthen AU and UN cooperation in order to work with common purpose to end the conflict in Libya and by extension, throughout the continent. South Africa continues to play a prominent and influential role in the work of the AU High-Level Committee on Libya (AU HLC) as well as the Contact Group of Libya since their establishment as mechanisms for supporting a sustainable and lasting political solution to the protracted crisis in Libya. Regarding Libya, South Africa, as a member of the AU HLC will be in the position to ensure stronger management, control and oversight of the on-going peace process in that country. Meetings of the AU HLC are convened at the level of Heads of State and Government and Minister.

Furthermore, South Africa, during the 14th Extraordinary Summit on Silencing the Guns, reiterated that it is imperative that the African Union (AU) and its peace and security architecture supports vulnerable countries by focusing particular attention on the issue of post conflict-reconstruction and development (PCRD), through institutional capacity building, the rule of law and security sector reform, which are core elements for a lasting peace, in line with the guiding principles of African Union Master Roadmap and Agenda 2063.

 

 

Reply:

(a) In keeping with its focus of promoting the African Agenda, South Africa will use its forthcoming Presidency to highlight the strengthening of AU-UN cooperation and to focus on preventative diplomacy, conflict prevention and resolution on the African Continent. In addition to the events proposed by South Africa, the programme of the work of the UNSC for December 2020 includes mandated reporting cycles and predetermined meetings of the Council. Matters scheduled in December, include, inter alia, the mandate renewal of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); the situation in Sudan; the authorisation for action on addressing piracy of the coast of Somalia; the situations in Guinea-Bissau, South Sudan, Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Israel/Palestine; and, Iran’s compliance with its obligations in terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the Iran nuclear-deal).

(b) South Africa’s second and final Presidency during its current term as an elected member of the UNSC will witness the convergence of (i) South Africa’s chairing of the African Union (AU); (ii) the Presidency of the UNSC; and, (iii) the final month of the AU’s ambition to silence the guns on the Continent by 2020. To prioritise the silencing of guns on the African Continent, South Africa has scheduled two debates during the month with a focus on the resolution of conflicts on the African Continent. These are a debate on “Sustaining Peace: Security Sector Reform (SSR)”, held at Ministerial level held on 3 December and a debate on “Cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations (AU)”, held at Presidential level on 4 December. These discussions give focus on the efforts of the United Nations and the African Union to ensure sustainable peace on the African Continent.

Reply:

Yes, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has treated the matter of providing permanent housing to the Pan-African Parliament with the respect and importance it deserves.

South Africa has hosted the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) since 2004. In terms of the Host Country Agreement between the Republic of South Africa and the African Union Commission on the Seat of the Pan-African Parliament, the Government of South Africa is indeed obliged to provide permanent headquarters for the Pan-African Parliament. The Pan-African Parliament is currently based at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg until the process to build a permanent headquarters for the Pan-African Parliament is finalised.

The identified site in Midrand for the construction of the PAP headquarters was found to be a wetland by environmental experts leading the project. It was therefore, decided that the project on the site would be closed and could not continue as the Department of Environmental Affairs had determined that any activities on that land are and would always remain illegal.

The matter has been referred to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), as the mandated line-function Department to satisfy the duty of providing the Pan-African Parliament with permanent headquarters. The DPWI has indicated that pending some internal investigations, on the original site, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will be advised accordingly. In this regard, the DPWI has further informed the DIRCO of their application for an urgent interdict to stop construction on the original site until the aforementioned issues have been resolved.

It is envisaged that the forensic investigation may constitute further delays to the fulfilment of the Republic of South Africa’s longstanding commitment to provide permanent headquarters for the Pan-African Parliament. Therefore, the DIRCO has requested the DPWI to assist in expeditiously identifying and procuring an alternative site.

To obviate the impression that the Republic of South Africa is not in support of the African united agenda, in 2019, the Department facilitated the process for the successful signing of the Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union Relating to the Pan-African Parliament of 2014. Moreover, the process for obtaining Cabinet approval for the ratification of the aforementioned instrument is advanced and the Parliamentary processes are being finalised.

In addition, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation continues to unwaveringly fulfil its obligations towards the African Union on the seat of the Pan-African Parliament to the best of its ability.

Reply:

1. (a)The South African Consul-General arrived in Los Angels at the end of January 2020. While searching for a suitable residence for the CG, the lockdown (Stay-at-Home) Order was issued in Los Angeles in March 2020, which made it difficult to continue searching for and viewing properties.

(b) Although more than 20 properties were viewed in areas recommended by the local office of the US State Department, no suitable property was identified during this initial period. As part of the search, three properties deemed to be suitable were later identified, but the Mission lost the properties due to reasons related to the landlords’ decision.

(2) The previous CG vacated the property in July 2019, which is 5 months before the arrival of the incumbent CG, who arrived at the end of January 2020. In this regard, it was deciced that it was not cost effective to keep renting an unoccupied property (CG’s residence), so the contract was terminated or not renewed with a view that another property will be searched for as soon as the CG arrives.

Reply:

1. There were no officials implicated in the Charles Nupen report, who had to be subjected to further investigation or disciplinary procedure.

2. (a) There are no officials specified in Charles Nupen report who have been given any postings in 2020 or 2021. (b) There are no officials specified in the Charles Nupen report who will be posted.