Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has supported President Cyril Ramaphosa for instructing Agriculture Minister and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen to stay in his lane.
The DA criticized Ramaphosa for referring to Russia as a “ally and friend” of South Africa during a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Ramaphosa and the other BRICS presidents are in Kazan, Russia, for the 16th BRICS summit. None of the DA’s Cabinet ministers are attending the 16th BRICS Summit.
Steenhuisen slammed Ramaphosa and informed him that “Putin is your ally, Mr President, not South Africans” in a statement made on Wednesday.
The DA distanced itself from Ramaphosa’s remarks and opposed the designation as a significant partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“The Democratic Alliance does not consider Russia, or Vladimir Putin, to be an ally of our Nation,” Steenhuisen said.
“We cannot and will not agree that South Africa should consider an authoritarian regime, that is currently violating international law by waging an imperialist war of aggression against a sovereign state, as an ally.”
The DA, along with the other nine parties, is part of the GNU, which is led by the African National Congress. This GNU was founded after no party received a majority in the May 29 national and provincial elections.
In relation to Russia, particularly after its invasion of Ukraine, the DA has criticized the aggression and called for diplomatic solutions and penalties against Russia. They frequently urge South Africa to align more closely with international norms governing sovereignty and the rule of law.
McKenzie responded to Steenhuisen by suggesting that his statements may be motivated by his party’s stance against Russia.
“The president made a huge mistake by leaving you behind, he should have taken you with you and you would have smiled and laughed with President Putin just like you did with President Xi,” McKenzie said.
“You are not speaking on behalf of the government, the president does, go back to work now minister.”
Meanwhile, the presidency has reportedly dismissed Steenhuisen’s criticism regarding the president’s position on relations between South Africa and Russia.