The ANC has come out strongly against the Democratic Alliance over the latter’s misinformation campaign against South Africa which has led to adverse action against the country by the US Donald Trump administration.
The ANC said the former opposition and now partner in the Government of National Unity was desperately trying to get the Trump administration to help it reverse transformative policies that it has failed to block in parliament.
The hard hitting criticism follows revelations that the DA’s foreign affairs spokesperson Emma Powel visited Washington DC where she spread false claims about a supposed white genocide underway in South Africa along with state sponsored land grabs.
“It is therefore unhelpful that political parties within the Government of National Unity are engaged in a
relentless campaign that appears to support punitive actions against South Africa and its people.
A number of non-state actors, including Ms Powell, have engaged representatives of the US government and Congress to perpetuate negative perceptions of our country. These engagements have contributed to the spread of false narratives, including fabricated claims of a so-called white genocide and forced land expropriation,” said the ANC in the statement.
The Democratic Alliance ran its 2024 election campaign on the misinformation campaign supported by other right wing groups such as Afriforum and only toned down after joining the GNU and it is not clear why the ANC is treating the role of the DA in the spreading of the false narrative as new.
The ANC also accused the DA of harassing Mcebisi Jonas, South Africa’s envoy to North America through Powell as part of an attempt to have an unnamed white businessman to replace him.
Powell recently claimed, falsely, that the Trump administration had rejected Jonas’ diplomatic credentials.
“Ms Powell has also pursued a sustained campaign of harassment against Comrade Mcebisi Jonas, the President’s Special Envoy to North America. Her aim appears to be to discredit his standing in diplomatic negotiations. She is part of a cabal frustrated by its inability to access confidential information and who have actively lobbied for
Comrade Jonas to be replaced by a white businessman who serves their narrow interests,” said the party in the statement.
The non-ending standoff between the two parties has led to many believing the ANC has been infiltrated by right-wing elements who are hell bent on blocking transformation.
“It is distasteful and dangerous to suggest that only white individuals are qualified to represent South Africa in engagements with the US government,” said the ANC.
Powell was previously in trouble for visiting Israel where she’s also accused of misrepresenting South Africa by among others offering support to the zionist government when Pretoria is clearly standing with Palestine.
However, the ANC appears beholden to the DA and has not been able to act against the blue party even as it has become clear that it is responsible for both the white genocide misinformation and the cessation agenda in the Cape pursued through the Referendum Party.
The ANC National Executive Committee was this week expected to discuss the DA’s future involvement in the GNU but the meeting has since been postponed to a yet to be announced date.
The ANC has also avoided convening a General Council ( a mid term review forum) with insiders saying the current leadership that includes President Cyril Ramaphosa and Secretary General Fikile Mbalula feared that members may use the event to demand the removal of the DA and Freedom Front + in favour of a coalition with like-minded parties such as the EFF or a minority government.
Despite being frustrated by the DA, the ANC so far appears helpless and the only province that excluded the DA Gauteng was punished when it’s Provincial Executive Committee was disolved.
Despite protestations, the DA has continued to play double agent by proclaiming itself to be government when it suits its agenda and an opposition party when things don’t go its way in the coalition.
