Uproar over Tshwane mayor's unauthorised trip to Taiwan

Uproar over Tshwane mayor's unauthorised trip to Taiwan

The ANC has called on the Department of International Relations to consider withdrawing the diplomatic passport issued to Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga.

Solly Msimanga_jacanews
File photo: Maryke Vermaak


This after Msimanga went ahead with a trip to Taiwan over Christmas - despite the department warning him not to do so - as it would be in breach of South Africa's official One China Policy. 


Msimanga said the visit was intended to drum-up investor support for the country.  


ALSO READ: Tshwane mayor to introduce mayoral committee


The ANC's Zizi Kodwa says the issue needs to be dealt with seriously:


"Our governments must take it very seriously, and must act on [it.] If it means to take away the official passport of the Executive mayor. Because if this precedent is started by senior government such as the Executive Mayor, it would be difficult to stop, because SA has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan," he said.


ALSO READ: Video showing chaotic Tshwane Council meeting goes viral


Meanwhile, Department of International Relations (Dirco) spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a statement that Taiwan is not recognized as a sovereign state by South Africa. 


"South Africa maintains a Liaison office in Taipei as does the Taiwanese in Pretoria. The Liaison Office does not enjoy the status of an Embassy.  The Liaison offices arrangement was agreed upon to facilitate people to people contact. It has no political mandate and therefore interaction between political office bearers is not allowed," says Monyela.

Show's Stories