Whether the Government intends to report (a) Mr Tony Blair, (b) Mr George W Bush and (c) Mr Barack Obama to the International Criminal Court for the (i) flagrant disregard of international law and (ii) invasion and bombardment of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan which led to millions of lives being lost; if not, why not; if so, when?
South Africa, like many other countries, continues to voice its concerns about perceived imbalances in the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecution strategy. Accountability and equal treatment are principles that South Africa continues to advance in the realm of international law, and international criminal justice in particular. In particular, the Court has the potential to hold the most powerful countries accountable for their unlawful actions ...
What total number of South African ambassadors were invited back to the Republic for the investment conference in Sandton between 12 to 14 April 2023, (b) what was the total cost of the (i) tickets, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance for her department and/or the Government in this regard and (c) which ambassadors that were budgeted and paid for did not arrive?
a) The Department planned and budgeted for the attendance of 46 South African Heads of Mission of the investment conference in Sandton between 12 to 14 April 2023.
b) The total cost so far of the (i) tickets, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance for the Department is:
(i) tickets - R820 567.79
- accommodation - R285 600.00
- subsistence allowance - R25 800.00
- Ambassadors that were budgeted and paid ...
Whether any pressure is being applied by external forces on the Government to arrest the Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin, in the event that he attends the 15th BRICS summit from 22 to 24 August 2023; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
No there is no external power putting pressure on the government of South Africa.
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What measures of intervention will her department take either directly or through the African Union to resolve the growing crisis in Sudan?
On 16 April 2023, South Africa as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) participated in its emergency meeting and received an update on the situation in Sudan by the AU PSC chair for the month of April 2023 and by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. PSC Members noted with deep concern the escalation ...
Whether any agreements were signed during the state visit of the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Belgium on 22 to 27 March 2023; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
No international agreements were signed during the State Visit of the King and the Queen of the Belgians as the responsibility for the signing of international agreements falls within the domain of the Government.
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Whether any agreements were signed and / or agreed to the following the South Africa – Tanzania Ministerial Bi – National Commission co - chaired by her and the Tanzania Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Stergomena Tax in Pretoria on Wednesday, 15 March 2023; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so what are the relevant details?
During the South Africa-Tanzania Bi-National Commission, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political and Diplomatic Consultations and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mozambique-Tanzania Centre for Foreign Relations of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Diplomatic Academy of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa were signed. The objective of the MoU on Political and Diplomatic Consultation is to conduct ...
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Whether following her visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she led the South African delegation to the Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers, held from 18 to 19 March 2023, any agreements were signed and / or agreed to; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether she will furnish Mr Hlengwa with the relevant details and / or an update on the Operationalisation of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (
(3) SHOC), as the issue was reportedly discussed; if not why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
1. No agreements were signed during the Southern Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Meeting held from 18-19 March 2023 in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
2. The decision on the operationalisation of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) was first taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in August 2019. Subsequent Council ...
Whether the Republic is a member of the Muslim World League (MWL) and / or intends to apply for membership of the MWL; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) How does the Government regulate international travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially for pilgrims?
1. No, South Africa is not a member of the Muslim World League. Membership is not considered given the fact that the Muslim World League is an international non-governmental organisation.
2. The Government does not regulate international travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for any South African citizen, including pilgrims.
Whether she will confirm if the Government intends to host Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin, at the 15th BRICS summit to be held from 22 to 24 August 2023 in Durban, following reports that the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for him, as the Republic is set to host the leaders of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of China, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
On 25 January 2023, President Ramaphosa in his capacity as the Chair of BRICS, signed letters inviting the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and the President of the People’s Republic of China, to the Fifteenth BRICS Summit to be held in-person in South Africa from 22 to 24 ...
Whether the SA Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has been mandated by her department to act on behalf of the Muslims in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(2) Whether she will furnish Ms H Ismail with a copy of the agreement authorising SAHUC to act on behalf of Muslims; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) What are the terms and conditions of the mandate given to the SAHUC;
(4) Whether her department deals with SAHUC as part of its operations; if not, why not; if so, (a) for how long is the mandate given to the SAHUC and (b) what is the validity of the mandate?
1. No, the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has not been mandated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to act on behalf of the Muslims in the Republic.
2. There is no agreement between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the SAHUC authorising SAHUC to act on behalf of Muslims.
3. The SAHUC has not received any mandate from ...
