ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is adamant that President Cyril Ramaphosa would not sign the visa-free entry agreement between South Africa and Ukraine.
This comes after Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber stated on Sunday that he had signed an agreement enabling visa-free travel to bearers of diplomatic, official, and service passports from both countries.
At the time, Schreiber made it appear that the purchase had already been completed, generating outrage. However, the agreement required Ramaphosa’s approval, and he has not signed it.
Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations, hosted a meeting with his Ukrainian colleague, Minister Andrii Sybiha. The meeting’s findings are expected to be announced in due time.
Schreiber’s announcement also raised suspicions about the leadership of the Government of National Unity (GNU), with some believing it was driven by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya expressed skepticism about the legality of Schreiber’s report, claiming that Ramaphosa had not authorized the Minister to sign any deal with Ukraine.
“The President has yet to sign the minute authorising the Minister to sign the agreement with Ukraine.” “It is unclear how the Minister can announce the signing of an international agreement without prior formal authorization,” he wrote in a tweet.
At the four-day National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg on Monday, Mbalula stated that Ramaphosa will not sell out to the DA.
The ANC also announced an education campaign to prevent internal factionalism and enhance leadership.
He claimed the DA was disrespecting the ANC because they did not receive an outright majority vote in the May 29 election.
“The DA is disrespectful to the ANC, and they will not stop. “They do this because we did not win power or an outright majority,” he explained.
Mbalula was optimistic that the ANC will regain power and reign again.
