ANC WELCOMES THE DECLARATION OF THE ISRAELI CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES AS PERSONA NON GRATA

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

ANC WELCOMES THE DECLARATION OF THE ISRAELI CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES AS PERSONA NON GRATA

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The African National Congress (ANC) applauds the Government of the Republic of South Africa, acting through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, for its firm and principled stance in declaring the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires persona non grata. This action affirms South Africa’s sovereign right to manage its international relations in line with its Constitution, national dignity, and established diplomatic norms.

The ANC notes that this decision follows repeated and unacceptable violations of diplomatic conduct that undermine South Africa’s sovereignty and disrespect its highest office. Diplomatic relations are governed by clear, globally accepted rules, including adherence to protocol, respect for host nations, and compliance with the Vienna Convention. Any deviation from these principles cannot be condoned.

The ANC further notes the expulsion of South Africa’s Ambassador to the State of Palestine and welcomes the clarification by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation that Mr Shaun Byneveldt is the duly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the State of Palestine and not to Israel. While Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations permits a receiving state to declare a diplomat persona non grata without providing reasons, this provision is intended to be exercised in good faith and in defence of diplomatic integrity, not as a tool of political obstruction or retaliation.

In this instance, Israel’s action, directed at a diplomat accredited to the State of Palestine and compelled to operate through Israel solely because of the ongoing occupation, constitutes a misuse of Article 9 and further underscores Israel’s persistent refusal to honour international law, United Nations resolutions, and the broad international consensus recognising Palestinian statehood and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

South Africa is a sovereign democratic state, and all foreign missions accredited to the Republic are expected to conduct themselves with respect, restraint, and professionalism. The ANC reiterates that diplomatic engagement must take place through recognised and lawful channels, free from insults, interference, or conduct that compromises mutual trust.

The ANC joins the government’s call on the Government of Israel to ensure that all future diplomatic engagements fully respect South Africa’s sovereignty and the universally accepted principles of international relations. 

The ANC reaffirms its support for a principled foreign policy anchored in international law, multilateralism, and the defence of South Africa’s dignity and sovereignty.

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THE ECONOMIC BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

THE ECONOMIC BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA 

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The African National Congress (ANC) condemns in the strongest terms the imposition of a total blockade on fuel supplies to Cuba. This action constitutes a direct assault on the Cuban people and represents a continuation of decades of deliberate economic sabotage and strangulation imposed through an unjust and unilateral embargo. 

The blockade comes a month after the invasion of Venezuela and the kidnapping of its legitimate leader, President Nicholas Maduro and his wife, Comrade Cilia Flores. These actions follow threats against Mexico and illegal expropriation and greed for sovereign natural resources, veiled as humanitarian intervention. 

These draconian and inhumane actions violate the sovereignty of nations and undermine efforts to build a just global order founded on inclusive multilateralism, trade cooperation and partnerships for reciprocal growth and shared benefit. 

The fuel blockade further aggravates the already fragile Cuban economy, deliberately weakened by an embargo that has persisted since March 1958 and which the ANC has consistently opposed, calling for its unconditional lifting. In an act of solidarity, and as an organisation committed to prosperity, thriving economies of the Global South, and the stability of Caribbean nations. 

The ANC calls for the immediate lifting of the fuel blockade and the trade embargo that not only harms Cuba but also affects the entire region. We call upon the progressive forces and countries of the world, committed to progressive internationalism, peace, and prosperity, to join the ANC in solidarity against imperialist and colonialist aggression. We call on progressive forces and countries of the world, committed to internationalism, peace and shared prosperity, to join the ANC in concrete acts of solidarity with Cuba. 

The ANC is unwavering in its support for the Cuban people and will continue to advocate for strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation, trade, and solidarity among Cuba, South Africa, and progressive nations worldwide.

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City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

City of Johannesburg Infrastructure Plan 

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg rejects the City’s proposed Infrastructure Plan, a document that acknowledges the collapse of our infrastructure but fails to offer any meaningful or immediate solutions for residents.

Johannesburg is facing an infrastructure emergency. Water outages, electricity failures, collapsing roads, sewage spills, and unsafe bridges have become daily realities. The report admits that Joburg Water, City Power, and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) are in deep distress, yet it provides no emergency interventions, no short-term targets, and no commitments to improve service delivery within the next 12 to 24 months.

Despite acknowledging a backlog exceeding R100 billion, the report claims there are “no immediate financial implications.”

There is no costed recovery programme, no funding strategy, and no clarity on how the City will stabilise failing entities.

The report maps spatial inequality but does not commit to minimum investment thresholds, ring-fenced budgets for townships, or a township infrastructure recovery package.

On the question of climate resilience and its impact on the City’s infrastructure, the report suggests it will be “strengthened over time.”

Unfortunately, climate shocks are not waiting for administrative plans to mature.

A plan that treats climate resilience as an afterthought simply cannot be endorsed.

The DA therefore rejects this Infrastructure Plan because it:

* Fails to address the immediate crisis

* Provides no financial roadmap

* Lacks accountability and consequence management

* Ignores urgent service delivery needs

* Does not commit to spatial justice

* Treats climate resilience as an afterthought

In this context, residents deserve a credible recovery plan and not another administrative framework.

Johannesburg deserves a plan that delivers real relief, real accountability, and real action.

The DA will continue to fight for a credible, costed, and urgent Infrastructure Stabilisation Plan that prioritises basic services, protects residents, and restores dignity to every community.

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