The African National Congress (ANC) says that by visiting Taiwan, Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga transgressed foreign policy with respect to diplomatic ties with China.
ANC Spokesperson Zizi Kodwa says the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) should take away passports of official's who put the country into disrepute.
Our view is that once different entities such as municipalities enter in bilateral relations, they must do so to promote national interest and never do things that undermines foreign policy.
— Zizi Kodwa, National Spokesperson of the ANC
Officials who hold official diplomatic passports have too much responsibility to promote national interest in whatever they do.
— Zizi Kodwa, National Spokesperson of the ANC
Dirco did not give approval for Msimanga's visit to Taiwan and to conduct business with the country, says Kodwa. He says Taiwan is not recognised in terms of diplomatic relations and "South Africa has no relations with that state".
Phephelaphi Dube, Director of the Centre for Constitutional Rights says it is every South African citizen's right to have a passport and enter and leave the country as they please, and the government has no right to simply take away someone's passport.
It's not up to the state or government to determine when and how a citizen should lose their passport, it is simply a constitutional right.
— Phephelaphi Dube, Director of the Centre for Constitutional Rights
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