Mmusi Maimane, President of BOSA [Build One SA], says the continued meetings with Russia by government officials and ministers do not portray South Africa in good light to the global community.
The former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader was responding to Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s statement on Monday morning, in connection with a high-level official meeting taking place in Russia from 23-25 May.
According to the Presidency, this annual meeting will discuss general trends in the international security situation, including global food security.
“Are you guys deliberately trying to sabotage the Rand?” Maimane posed a question to Minister Ntshavheni on twitter.
“These continued meetings with Russia by government officials and especially ministers do not portray South Africa as non-aligned [alluding to the Russia-Ukraine conflict].
“They portray a defacto position and preference. These decisions have a bearing on SA perceptions in the global community and the status of our trade relationships with certain countries. These have a bearing on the currency,” Maimane added.
Also forming part of the agenda, Minister Ntshavheni will engage with relevant authorities on matters material to the initiatives announced by the African Leaders’ Peace Mission to Russia and Ukraine.
