Ramaphosa urges political parties not to antagonise US when welcoming Rasool home

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa is urging political parties and organisations to stop antagonising the US when welcoming back expelled Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool.

South Africa's former ambassador to the United States of America is expected back in the country on Sunday.

At a media briefing on Thursday, the Presidency said it was aware that there might be a number of people planning to give Rasool a hero’s welcome.

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Rasool's expulsion has worsened the already deteriorating relationship between the Union Buildings and the White House.

Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has called for restraint when Rasool lands on home soil.

"We would like to urge all political formations that are planning various homecoming rallies for Ambassador Rasool to assist us and refrain from partaking or engaging in action that may seem inflammatory and may worsen the already volatile diplomatic relationship with the United States."

Some African National Congress (ANC) branches in the Western Cape are already circulating flyers urging people to come out in their numbers to welcome Rasool back.

Magwenya said Ramaphosa would be engaging with his party over exercising restraint.