The recent deterioration in relations between the ANC and DA in the government of national unity (GNU) is believed to have been sparked by allegations that DA MP Emma Powell spread disinformation about South Africa during a trip to the US.
Powell on Tuesday said President Cyril Ramaphosa's envoy to the US Mcebisi Jonas had been denied entry and the country refused to accept his credentials.
The Presidency, through spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, responded, accusing the DA of “positioning itself as part of a right-wing nexus” that aimed to undermine the country.
Government insiders say a report handed to the National Security Council (NSC), chaired by Ramaphosa, has detailed that Powell, during her trip to the US, undermined South Africa's “international relations and domestic policy narratives” by spreading disinformation that “contributed to the negative perceptions” of South Africa's foreign policy.
Sources in government also told Sowetan the report put Powell at the centre of organising an “unauthorised” trip to the US that included former deputy minister of trade and industry Andrew Whitfield.
Insiders say Ramaphosa removed Whitfield based on the findings of the report. Whitfield's removal deepened divisions in the GNU. This resulted in DA leader John Steenhuisen announcing the party would withdraw from the national dialogue initiative.
The NSC is said to have commissioned the report after Powell publicly called for change in South Africa's foreign policy.
In March Powell said: “In light of increased tensions between the US and South Africa, the DA has called for a formal review of foreign policy at cabinet level. This includes the adoption of a consensus-based approach to the appointment of ambassadors.
“The ANC, a 39% party, no longer enjoys an outright majority and is no longer at liberty to single-handedly determine South Africa's foreign policy agenda without consulting its partners in government.”
Insiders said the report suggested Powell allegedly used her travel to the US to spread an anti-South African government agenda despite her party being a key member of the GNU.
“The report says Powell has been identified as a primary architect of a negative narrative concerning South Africa's International Court of Justice case in Washington DC. This narrative is characterised by the dissemination of information inconsistent with the official position of the government of South Africa,” said one source who had seen the report.
[Powell's] public and private engagements in the US have contributed significantly to negative perceptions of this domestic policy.
— Insider
“It states that Powell is a key proponent of misinformation regarding South Africa's Expropriation Act. Her public and private engagements in the US have contributed significantly to negative perceptions of this domestic policy.”
Powell said on Wednesday she would not comment on a report she has not seen. “Our activities in the US are well documented. We've been open about who we met and what we told them. Also, someone must explain to me what an 'unauthorised' activity is. I do not require permission from anyone other than my party leadership to meet anyone abroad and provide our perspectives,” she said.
International relations and co-operation department (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri would not comment on the report, but said: “We have noted various non-state actors have frequented Washington DC to advance and present agendas contrary to government policy and our national interests, as the aspirations of the nation.”
Another government source said Powell's activities “directly conflict with the legitimate and officially sanctioned engagements of the South African government”.
“Official trade negotiations with the US are properly managed by the department of trade, industry and competition, supported by Dirco, and advised by Mcebisi Jonas and his team,” said the source.
The insider further said Powell's activities were designed to curry favour with foreign governments and undermine the South African administration.
Magwenya said he had not seen the report and would not comment on it, referring Sowetan to the statement he released on Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump recently announced the US would impose 30% tariffs on South African goods entering his country. The South African government is now in talks with its US counterparts in an attempt to negotiate the tariffs down.
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