ARF 2019/20 performance; LA Consul General; AU Commission posts; with Deputy Minister

Meeting report

African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF) briefing
DIRCO Acting Director-General, Mr Kgabo Mahoai, presented. With a target of 100% for ARF funding requests reviewed, ARF achieved 82% (14 of 17 requests). The requests were:
1. Humanitarian Aid to Republic of Mozambique.
2. Humanitarian Aid to Republic of Zimbabwe.
3. Capacity and Equipment assistance for Republic of Zimbabwe.
4. Capacity building / institutional development of competition authorities within Africa Competition Forum
5. Outbreak of an animal disease in Kingdom of Lesotho (Anthrax).
6. Deploy South African expert to Juba, South Sudan to serve on Independent Boundaries Committee.
7. Funding for participation in SADC Electoral Observation Mission, 2018/201 and 2019/2020.
8. Lesotho Reform Peace Process
9. Assistance in hosting an Annual African Women Dialog.
10. Assistance to the South African Military Ombud.
11. Capacity building / institutional development of competition authorities within Africa Competition Forum
12. Assistance to the South African Military Ombud.
13. Project proposal on South African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation
14. Capacity building / institutional development of competition authorities within Africa Competition Forum
15. Fund to contribute to the Special Fund for COVID-19.
16. Fund to contribute towards the Africa Centre for Disease Control (African CDC).
17. Assistance for Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

The reasons for the variance were given. One request for the Competition Commission was not reviewed because presenters did not attend the meeting to make the presentation. Two requests for Covid19 urgent intervention received on 31 March 2020 were reviewed in 2020/21.

All seven approved disbursements to support democracy and good governance were processed:
• R580 199.49 for South African Intervention and Contribution to Kingdom of Lesotho Peace Process.
• R182 643.20 for South African participation in Election Observer Mission in Madagascar and DRC.
• R61 124.00 for Presidential Elections Liberia.
• R361 282.14 for South African Intervention and Contribution to Kingdom of Lesotho Peace Process.
• R8 658.70 for South African participation in Election Observer Mission in Madagascar.
• R1 351 061.76 for South African Intervention and Contribution to Kingdom of Lesotho Peace Process.
• R112 839.55 for SA participation in Election Observer Mission (Mozambique. Botswana and Malawi).

There was no disbursement to support socio-economic development.

All eight approved disbursements to support humanitarian assistance were processed:
• R1 661 882,50 for Namibia drought relief project
• R322 135,75 for Namibia drought relief project
• R8 705 931,33 for Humanitarian Assistance to South Sudan
• R14 742 499,96 for Humanitarian Assistance to South Sudan
• R9 760 322.80 for Humanitarian Assistance to Kingdom of Eswatini.
• R85 747.00 for Humanitarian Assistance to South Sudan.
• R1 439 015.20 for Namibia drought relief project.

All three approved disbursements to support capacity-building were processed:
• R992 500.00 to support capacity-building for Annual Woman Dialogue
• R8 137 500.00 to support capacity-building for Annual Woman Dialogue
• R1 744 328.50 to support capacity-building processed (AORC Human Resources Development)

All three disbursements to support cooperation and development with other countries were processed:
• R19 048.79 for SA Intervention / Contribution to Independent Boundaries Committee (IBC) South Sudan
• R534 786.01 for SA Intervention / Contribution to Independent Boundaries Committee (IBC) South Sudan
• R23 090.82 for SA Intervention / Contribution to Independent Boundaries Committee (IBC) South Sudan.

The reconciliation of available funds as of 31 March 2020, after a R140m loan to be granted to Cuba, showed a zero balance.

South African candidates for position of AU Commission Deputy Chairperson: DIRCO briefing
Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi, Deputy Director General: Global Governance and Continental Agenda, noted that the African Union has undertaken a transparent process leading to the selection of the AU Commission senior leadership in 2021. This takes place within the process of institutional reports that AU has adapted to make the organization more efficient and representative. AU Commission senior leadership will comprise eight members (Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six Commissioners). The selection of the members of the Commission should be viewed in a global context. South Africa as part and parcel of the process issued an advertisement in July 2020 inviting South Africans to apply (see advert below).

For the Deputy Chairperson, DIRCO received five applicants: three males and two females. DIRCO considered these applications in light of the qualifications needed and only two out of five met the criteria and these two happened to be male. DIRCO submitted the two Deputy Chairperson candidates for Cabinet consideration. There are six commissioner positions and we have taken the view as a country to field as many candidates as possible. So, if we enjoy the support of the region our candidates will make it.

DIRCO on Matters affecting the Consul General in Los Angeles
Ambassador Thulani Dhlomo said there is a problem in Los Angeles after the transfer on the new Consul General. The process is that the Consul should stay at a hotel while we sort out new accommodation. The Corporate Services Manager (CSM) will go to the property chosen for the Head of Mission and check out the house and see if it needs repairs. In this instance, we do not have a property. The challenge we had is that the Consul arrived as the pandemic kicked in and it was difficult to look at houses. DIRCO started working online to find a property. The other problem is the tension that was there between the CSM and the Consul. The Minister had to send an investigator who has tabled a report. It has taken this long to get the Consul a house and the Department has to intervene differently to sort it out.

Discussion
Mr D Bergman (DA) asked why the Consul General did not move into the previous residence used by the former Consul. If the house was good enough for the former Consul surely it should be good for the current one. He commended ARF for its clean audit and asked why the Fund cannot be used to bolster democracy in the region. In SADC we do not seem to be gathering funds for election missions and this seems to be hampering the region’s democracy. If the fund is used wisely, we might try to stop what is happening in Mozambique, Zambia, and other parts of the region.

The DG agreed with Mr Bergman's sentiments and said that they have started to help countries such as Mozambique, including Zimbabwe, although the intervention has been late. He stated that this is a public meeting and he cannot say much on the matter as this can militate against the Department’s efforts. On the accommodation of the Consul, Covid-19 affected DIRCO’s ability to address this swiftly but they sent someone to go and do and investigation and the investigation recommendations will be carried out so that the matter is resolved.

Ms Lerato Mashile, DIRCO Consul Political, noted that the house used by the previous Consul was a rented house and DIRCO did not meet the negotiating time frame for the lease extension of the lease. This was delayed as South Africa had elections and the position of Consul was not yet filled.

Ms T Msane (EFF) asked why DIRCO fielded only male candidates for the Commissioner positions. DIRCO was not trying but was playing lip service when it comes to gender equality. Many women and the disabled are occupying positions at the United Nations.

Ms Msane condemned what is happening in Nigeria and noted that this was equivalent to what happened in Zimbabwe where the police and army are sent out to kill innocent citizens. This has become a serious issue and yet regional blocs remain quiet. She asked what the AU is doing to stop this.

Ms Msane commended the ARF clean audit but questioned the spending of the ARF money. DIRCO is not spending money on supporting women but is spending money on items that do not matter such as the R12 million spent by Zanele Mbeki.

Ms Mashile replied that the R12 million spent on the Annual Woman Dialogue was for accommodation for 1000 women who came from around the region inclusive of meals and other conference packages. The remaining amount will not be paid as the project will be closed with that remaining balance.

Ambassador Nkosi replied about the lack of women nominations saying that two SADC countries, Angola and Mozambique, had nominated females. DIRCO was hoping that of the two scenarios available, the first scenario succeeds where the current incumbent wins. If this happens then SADC will stand a chance in AU. If that does not happen then the whole process will be opened up to everyone. DIRCO published the July 2020 advertisement inviting suitably qualified South Africans to apply for AU Commission senior leadership positions. For the Deputy Chairperson position, only five applications were received, from three men and two women. When we considered these applications based on an assessment of relevant qualifications, experience as well as exposure to operating at senior and strategic management level, only two candidates who were male met the criteria.

Mr T Mpanza (ANC) also commended the ARF for a clean audit but mourned the fact that the migration of ARF to stand on its own was long overdue. This matter was not being taken with the seriousness it deserves. The Committee needs a regular update on this matter. On the AU candidates, the fact that there is no woman representative is highly unacceptable and we should not compromise on gender equality.

On the Consul General's accommodation, Mr Mpanza said DIRCO should be aware it is dealing with a human being – in particular a person representing the country. It should move with speed in resolving this and it should not be repeated.

Ms B Swarts (ANC) lamented South Africa’s fielding of male candidates for the AU Commission Deputy Chairperson. This move was not to be tolerated. On the lack of accommodation for the Consul General, there is a need for the Committee to use a different language which DIRCO can understand. Property Management at DIRCO is not doing its job and this cannot be repeated over and over again. She proposed that the CSM should be fired as she was undermining the authority of the Consul.

Other Members agreed with this comment.

Ms Swarts said that the ARF should be institutionally separated from DIRCO. If the ARF is procuring through DIRCO it should be spelled out. It is not proper that the DG is also the accounting officer of ARF. It was not right for ARF and DIRCO to be treated as one. There is a need for them to be separated.

DG Mahoai replied that there is a need for the repeal of the ARF Act. This is why there is a Bill already in Parliament that seeks to remedy this anomaly. DIRCO is going to send the revised Bill to the Committee to review if the drafting changes it called for have been effected.

The Chairperson said that there was no effort in DIRCO to appoint women at AU level and this should stop. She noted that the Committee experienced the same thing when on an oversight visit to New York. They were placed in a hotel that had no food and they had to look for food elsewhere. The Committee was however surprised to see DIRCO submitting an invoice that had a food bill on it. There were people in DIRCO deliberately creating these difficult circumstances for the Consul General so they can use the opportunity to loot state funds.

The Chairperson said that the investigation report on the Consul accommodation must be made public. She agreed with Ms Swarts that the CSM must be recalled and that has to happen as soon as possible. Staffers should not sabotage their bosses. It cannot be that a person at the level of head of mission is left to fend for herself to find suitable accommodation in a place she is not familiar with. The Department must follow due process and ensure that the official is recalled and faces consequence management.

The Chairperson referred to the ARF financial report and asked what the R1.33m ARF paid back to DIRCO was for. She also asked if there is a push back on South Africa or not and if outside influence is at play.

Ms Mashile replied that the ARF does not have its own accounting system so DIRCO pays on behalf of the ARF and when this is done, the ARF gets invoiced. The payment of R1.33 million was a reimbursement to DIRCO and comprises various projects done such as the Rand Water project.

On the Consul General accommodation, Ms Mashile noted that the DG has been worried about this and the problem is going to be solved. More than 30 properties have been looked at. The recommendations from the Minister’s investigation report will be looked into.

On the push back question, the DG relied that is a deep question but he does not think that there is a push back as each country does what is good for their national interest.

Ms Mashile replied some specifics on matters cannot be shared with the Committee in a public meeting. She proposed that a closed meeting would be appropriate to address adequately some of the sensitive matters. Further to that, she noted that the Consul General had been given cars and phones to use.
 
Deputy Minister closing remarks
Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini said on the AU front that there is no foul play. The 2018 AU resolutions about regional rotation and gender equality should not be contradicted. Other countries just pick without considering those resolutions and that becomes a problem.

The Deputy Minister said she had not seen the investigation report on the Consul General matter and she will have to make a follow-up. However, as the Ministry, they are working flat-out to streamline property management.

The Chairperson asked DIRCO to produce a weekly report on the Consul General matter and progress in recalling the CSM. She urged DIRCO not to burden the Minister with administrative concerns such as accommodation. DIRCO should consider re-skilling the corporate service managers in the missions abroad. They must be adequately trained.

The meeting was adjourned.

Appendix: Advert for AU Commission Positions
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) wishes to invite applications from the public and private sector employees and civil society with the requisite seniority, experience and rich background knowledge of African politics for consideration as nominee for the following positions at the African Union (AU):

• Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission;
• Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; and
• Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

The job profiles for these positions are available on the DIRCO website.  Interested candidates should submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) along with a short write-up on his/her vision and strategic approach for the position sought to the following email .........on or before 31 July 2020.