DA's statement on Russia shows limited understanding of how GNU works - Mokonyane

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) said the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of Russia as an ally and friend was an attempt to use the coalition government to micromanage the country’s head of state.

Its first deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane, said the denunciation showed DA leader John Steenhuisen’s limited understanding of how the Government of National Unity (GNU) functions.

The DA has rejected the president’s comments, which he made during a bilateral meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin ahead of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) summit.

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Mokonyane said that despite the DA being part of the GNU, it had no say in the country’s foreign policy.

Steenhuisen received a stunning rebuke from fellow minister, Gayton McKenzie, on social media, who reminded him that the president spoke on behalf of government and not the other way around.

Mokonyane said that the DA, despite being part of the GNU, had no role in dictating the country’s approach to foreign policy.

"We’ve all agreed, even in the statement of intent, that they remain outside of any area of negotiation or bargaining. Our foreign policy remains."

She said the DA’s statement on Russia not only showed Steenhuisen’s limited understanding of how the GNU worked but was also an attempt to micromanage Ramaphosa.

Mokonyane said Steenhuisen, as minister of agriculture, should be working to ensure South African farms gained greater access to Russia’s markets.