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ActionSA has received a deeply disturbing letter from the ANC Secretary General’s Office, which appears to have been circulated to South African embassies, urging our diplomatic corps to assist in the ANC’s campaign abroad. 

The letter dated 26 April, requests diplomatic staff to attend an online meeting on 30 April, which states “You are hereby invited to attend the special meeting to discuss the ANC 2024 voter mobilisation strategy abroad.”

Although South Africans are used to various shenanigans during election season by the floundering ruling party, asking the country’s diplomatic representatives to mobilise votes abroad is a step too far.  

If this letter proves to be true, it is clear that our diplomatic staff are being invited to meetings set up by the ANC Deputy Secretary-General for purposes of “voter mobilisation”, it is tantamount to one of the most blatant abuse by the ANC government of state power and resources to benefit the governing party, going directly against every democratic principle of the separation of party and state our constitution was built on.  

The ANC has used our Diplomatic Corps as a place to deploy its so-called Cadres with lucrative positions in the past, with many of our ambassadors and embassy officials being selected purely on party allegiance, as opposed to diplomatic skill, experience, and allegiance to country ahead of party. 

It is ActionSA’s belief that our Diplomatic Corps need to be professionalised and de-politicised. The departments involved in South Africa’s international relations, such as DIRCO and the Department of Trade and Industry, have not been exempt from poor ANC governance. They have, in too many instances, hampered South Africa’s ability to effectively participate in global affairs.

This letter proves decisively that the ANC sees DIRCO as a mere extension of the party abroad, and that it should be loyal to the governing party above all else. ActionSA will not allow our most vital departments and overseas Missions to become nothing more than a tool to campaign for the ANC.

To this end, ActionSA demands that if this letter proves to be true, it is immediately withdrawn with an apology from Luthuli House. We also call upon all South African diplomatic Missions abroad to desist, where this has been the case, to be used as outposts for the ANC.

Issued by Team FixSA Member: International Relations Solly Moeng