www.iol.co.za
Date: 4 January 2017
By: Sihle Manda and Sakhile Ndlazi
Johannesburg – The rift over Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga’s Taiwan trip has deepened, with the
28/09/2016. Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga before briefing the media about a meeting with different political parties about the disruptions that took place during an ordinary council meeting.
Picture: Masi Losi
government moving swiftly to deal with the fallout from China the junket might cause and to affirm South Africa’s foreign policy.
On Tuesday, the Presidency weighed in on the matter but didn’t follow the stance of the ruling party, which has called for Msimanga’s diplomatic passport to be revoked. The Presidency adopted a calmer approach, suggesting the matter would be discussed and similar incidents avoided in future.
President Jacob Zuma chairs and convenes the President’s Co-ordinating Council, “a statutory forum in which the president meets the leadership of provincial and local government”, spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said on Tuesday.
“The forum is used to discuss matters affecting the three spheres of government,” he said.
He said the council, which meets quarterly, had not done so since the local government elections in August. “It will, at the right time, discuss matters relating to foreign policy co-ordination as part of its agenda to ensure synergy within the three spheres,” Ngqulunga said. [FULL STORY]
