Cape Town – South Africans have reacted after the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen announced on Sunday that he had arrived in Ukraine to embark on what he called “a six-day tour” of the war ravished country.
Steenhuisen said his visit was aimed at ascertaining for himself the situation in Ukraine, a country that has been under siege from the Russian army for over two months.
“Over the course of the next week I will be visiting refugee camps as well as meeting with various mayors, governors, business leaders, students and ordinary Ukrainian citizens to see, first-hand, the effects of the Russian invasion and the ongoing occupation of parts of Ukraine.
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“… We owe it to the people of Ukraine to tell the unfiltered truth about what is taking place there so that the world can stand united in bringing this injustice to an end”.
“In the era of fake news and propaganda, this is the only way to truly know what has happened,” said Steenhuisen.
Some South African, however, questioned his visit, with some asking for his party to clarify who was paying the expenses for the trip.
“As the DA stand for transparency, can they clarify who is paying for the 6 day trip of John Steenhuisen to Ukraine. Is it a private trip, a sponsored trip or a taxpayer funded jaunt?,” asked one social media user, @SimonPGrindrod.
As the DA stand for transparency, can they clarify who is paying for the 6 day trip of John Steenhuisen to Ukraine. Is it a private trip, a sponsored trip or a taxpayer funded jaunt? ?♂️??
— Simon Grindrod (@SimonPGrindrod) May 2, 2022
Others, according to EWN said the party’s efforts and financial resources were needed in areas like KwaZulu-Natal, which were recently hit by devastating floods.
“I would like to ask how much Steenhuisen spent to go to Ukraine when we have a crisis here at home in KZN. Whatever money he had spent could have been used in KZN,” the report quoted one citizen as saying.
The Cabo Delgado region in Mozambique has been under attack since 2019; there have been deadly protests in eSwatini in the quest for Democracy – John Steenhuisen has never been there neither did his party show interest. But he goes on a fact finding mission to Ukraine?
— Vusi Gumbi (@VusiHGumbi) May 2, 2022
John Steenhuisen has left a war zone in his backyard at the Cape Flats, where his party is governing, to go to Ukraine to tell us of his insights on war.
— African Renaissance???? (@MadiBoity) May 2, 2022
KZN is hit by floods resulting in the displacement of 40k people & over 400 deaths, ESKOM is teetering on a brink of collapse, immigration crisis has triggered tensions in SA & unemployment has reached crisis levels but John Steenhuisen thought it was best time for globetrotting.
— African Renaissance???? (@MadiBoity) May 2, 2022
John Steenhuisen has gone to #Ukraine. Was this a Matric move or a PHD move. You can vote in the tweet below. pic.twitter.com/uLITE1SkIb
— Mighti Jamie. (@MightiJamie) May 1, 2022
The Russian attack – which began on February 24 – on Ukraine has killed dozens, as airstrikes hit military installations and ground forces moved in from the north, south, and east of Ukraine.
Steenhuisen said: “There is irrefutable evidence that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has committed war crimes in Ukraine and should be held accountable. Lives and livelihoods have been lost.
“In South Africa, many are already battling to feed their families and this war will further drive up food and fuel prices.”
There is irrefutable evidence that Putin has committed war crimes in Ukraine and should be held accountable. Lives and livelihoods have been lost.
In South Africa, many are already battling to feed their families and this war will further drive up food and fuel prices. pic.twitter.com/duTzgP7Rji
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) May 2, 2022
Steenhuisen’s visit to Ukraine came a few weeks after his party launched an online petition for the South African government to take a “decisive stand” on the conflict between the two countries.
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It wanted the government to publicly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The government has maintained a non-aligned stance on the conflict.
Despite widespread anger at its position, South Africa argues that negotiations are the best option to end the conflict.
The country has so far abstained from voting in two high-profile UN rebukes of Russia.
Steehuisen said he would provide regular updates to the media about his visit.
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Picture: Twitter/@jsteenhuisen
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
