A contentious agreement to allow Ukrainian diplomats visa-free access to South Africa has ignited a political uproar in the country.
On Sunday, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, representing a different party from President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced the deal, referring to Ukraine as a “valued ally.” However, this announcement faced immediate backlash from the presidency, which criticized Schreiber for declaring the agreement without formal approval from Ramaphosa.
Critics of the deal argue that it undermines South Africa’s long-standing ties with Russia, despite the country maintaining a neutral stance in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party since the end of apartheid, has found itself at odds with the Democratic Alliance (DA), its largest coalition partner, regarding the nation’s diplomatic relationship with Russia.
The ANC lost its majority in the May general election, leading to a coalition with other political parties. Recently, Ramaphosa faced criticism from the DA for labeling Russia a “valued friend” during the Brics summit in Kazan, as the DA has been vocal against Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
“I have signed a historic agreement granting visa-free access to our country for Ukrainian holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports – and vice versa,” Schreiber stated on social media platform X. He defended the agreement by emphasizing Ukraine’s support for South Africa during its anti-apartheid struggle.
In response, the presidency asserted that Schreiber’s announcement was premature and lacked the necessary authorization. “It is unclear how the minister can announce the signature of an international agreement without prior formal authorization to do so,” stated Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, on X.
On Monday, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, indicating that the agreement has yet to be finalized and signed. “Once all the diplomatic processes have been concluded, the agreement will be signed, and we will announce once all those processes have been followed,” Lamola added.
Leigh-Ann Mathys, spokesperson for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), condemned the deal as a “betrayal” of South Africa’s solidarity with Russia.
Additionally, the opposition party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), founded by former President Jacob Zuma, has urged Ramaphosa to reject the agreement. “The agreement with Ukraine is aimed at facilitating an influx and quasi-evacuation of defeated right-wing Ukrainians to South Africa by the racist pro-white imperialist DA,” MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela told local media.
