International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola says former President Jacob Zuma's visit to India reflects negatively on South Africa, warning that former heads of state cannot conduct a parallel foreign policy.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola says former President Jacob Zuma's visit to India, where he met Ajay Gupta, reflects negatively on South Africa, warning that the former head of state appears to be running a "parallel foreign policy" despite having no mandate to represent the government.
Lamola said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation was awaiting an internal report and was inquiring into Zuma's visit to determine how it was facilitated, its purpose and whether it had any implications under the Foreign Service Act.
The remarks follow Zuma's visit to the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand in late June, where he was photographed at the Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Mandir in Haridwar alongside Ajay Gupta, one of the Gupta brothers accused of playing a central role in South Africa's state capture scandal.
During the visit, Zuma also made political remarks, telling reporters he believed he would return to power.
