Presidency slams Schreiber’s premature announcement of visa-free deal with Ukraine

Leon Schreiber BRICS

Cape Town – Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced a visa-free agreement between South Africa and Ukraine for diplomats and officials, but President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has criticised the announcement, saying the president had not yet formalised the deal.

Schreiber’s announcement emphasised Ukraine’s historical support for South Africa, but Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said that negotiations began in 2020, before Schreiber’s tenure, and the president had yet to authorise the agreement.

“In my capacity as minister of home affairs representing the Republic of South Africa, I have signed a historic agreement granting visa-free access to our country for Ukranian holders of diplomatic, official and service passports and vice versa.

“We continue to see Ukraine as a valued ally, as a valued friend who supported us right from the beginning, from the days of our struggle against apartheid, through to now.

“I look forward to President Ramaphosa adding his signature to this agreement in the coming week so we can conclude this important step forward for relations between our two peace-loving nations,” Schreiber announced on Sunday. 

But Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for Ramaphosa, said: “The president is yet to sign the minute authorising the minister to sign the agreement with Ukraine.

“It is unclear how the minister can announce signature of an international agreement without prior formal authorisation to do so. The negotiations with Ukraine on the visa waiver for diplomatic or official passports started in 2020.”

Tensions are high between the ANC and DA within the Government of National Unity (GNU), especially after Ramaphosa reaffirmed Russia as a “friend and ally” at the recent BRICS+ summit.

Despite this, Ramaphosa’s office stressed that South Africa remains neutral and supports peaceful resolution efforts between Russia and Ukraine.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola is set to meet Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha on Monday to formalise the visa-free agreement, Magwenya said.

“This will enable South African officials to travel to Ukraine for peace formula meetings without visa logistical impediments. This development, which has been in the making since 2020, signals SA’s commitment to growing diplomatic relations with Ukraine,” he said.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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