Cape separatists criticised for seeking US backing
President Cyril Ramaphosa takes a ‘very dim’ view of the visit to the US by the Cape Independence Advocacy Group amid tension between SA and the US, reports News24.
This is according to Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya after the group wrote to Ramaphosa, Department of International Relations & Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola, and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, formally notifying them of its intention to send a delegation to the US to meet with officials there.
Magwenya said last week: ‘Given the organisation's limited representation and lack of alignment with our constitutional values that prioritise social cohesion and equality, it is crucial for the leadership of the government to focus on addressing the pressing needs of all citizens through dialogue and policies that strengthen social solidarity. Therefore, the President takes a very strong dim view on this planned visit to the US to seek cessation from SA.’
The group said it obtained legal advice, and the delegation was expected to leave in early April.
In a statement, the group said: 'Cape independence would align strongly with the foreign policy aims of the current US administration, and several comments have revealed that it is already on the US radar.
In the notification, the group sets out its objectives in visiting the US, which include both fundraising and diplomatic support for its campaign to force the Western Cape Premier to call a referendum on Cape independence, as well as ‘contingency plans to hold a private referendum should the Premier continue to refuse to consult the Western Cape people on the matter’.
According to News24, last month, Afrikaner-interest lobby groups AfriForum and Solidarity visited Washington to meet with representatives from US President Donald Trump's administration.
The groups sought funding and wanted SA pressured to withdraw the Expropriation Act.
Those visits were then followed by visits by the DA.
Magwenya added that the President cautions everyone to exercise his or her constitutional right, but to do so in the manner that does not undermine and subvert constitutional democracy in SA.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
