Government unfazed by DA leader’s Ukraine visit
THE government said it was not fazed by DA leader John Steenhuisen’s weeklong trip to Ukraine.
Steenhuisen met some high-profile leaders in Ukraine, as well as mayors and former presidents. He had apparently gone there to see for himself the situation in Ukraine and how the war would affect South Africa.
The government had called for engagement and mediation as part of resolutions to end the war instead of taking a harsh stance against Russia.
Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the government was not perturbed by Steenhuisen’s agenda in Ukraine.
“We have taken a position that we are not going to even comment on what he does. Those people in Ukraine know who is in government, they are not confused,“Monyela said.
Meanwhile, Steenhuisen had a media briefing yesterday where he spoke about his trip.
“The reason for my trip to Ukraine was twofold. First, I wanted to see for myself what is happening there. I wanted to hear the accounts first hand from the people living through this nightmare,” Steenhuisen said.
He said the impact was around the corner and would worsen the economic crisis in South Africa, This includes the impact on the price of bread and other essentials.
“The second reason for my visit was to represent freedom-loving South Africans to the people of Ukraine because no one else is doing this. They were left with the impression that South Africa does not support their plight on this issue,” Steenhuisen said.
He said he had made it clear to the people of Ukraine that the ANC did not represent everyone in South Africa, He had met prominent politicians in Ukraine to tell them that.
“Our ANC government sparks only for its narrow financial interests; it does not represent the citizens of South Africa in its immoral support for Russia. I am assured that our government’s disgraceful stance at the UN votes and shameless attendance of Russian functions glorifying their military on the day their invasion got under way was viewed as a stain on our country,” Steenhuisen said.
He called for an end to the Russian war.