Mcebisi Jonas NEVER Said That! – SA rejects US media ‘lies’

Cape Town – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has issued a strongly worded statement dismissing recent claims published by US-based media outlet Semafor, which falsely attributed remarks to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to the United States, Mcebisi Jonas.

According to Dirco, the statements published in Semafor’s Friday newsletter were entirely fabricated.

“They neither reflect his views nor correspond to any actual interview, as no such engagement took place,” the department stated.

Dirco accused the publication of inventing quotes allegedly made by Jonas regarding efforts to counter misinformation about South Africa in the US.

“Regrettably, these assertions are entirely false,” the statement reads.

Official Clarification from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation – DIRCO https://t.co/Az1dAlcI8O

— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) April 18, 2025

In response to the incident, Dirco confirmed that  Jonas will not be engaging with the media at this time, as he focuses on executing the critical diplomatic mandate assigned to him by Ramaphosa. His primary role is to advance South Africa’s strategic partnership with the United States, and Dirco emphasised that any distractions will not be entertained.

Reaffirming Jonas’s official status as a government representative, the department warned against the rise of unauthorised individuals or groups claiming to speak on behalf of South Africa in international engagements.

“The government neither recognises, endorses, nor condones any unauthorised individuals or entities claiming to represent South Africa’s interests in formal or informal dialogues,” Dirco said.

The department urged all stakeholders to verify any diplomatic claims or communications through official Dirco channels, stressing that unauthorised actions could harm the integrity of South Africa’s international relations.

“South Africa remains committed to transparent, accountable, and dignified diplomacy,” the statement said, calling for respect for  Jonas’ pivotal role and encouraging reliance on verified information.