By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has confirmed the recall of the Consul General to Dubai, Andrew Tsepo Lebona.
Fullview understands that the office had been running a scam selling visas to citizens in the United Arab Emirates.
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Bi-Weekly held a briefing at the OR Tambo Building on, 26/08/24.
During the briefing, DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri says the claims are being probed.
“We have asked Lebone to come back to answer questions pertaining to the preliminary findings of our investigation in the United Arab Emirates Dubai consulate which is still ongoing,” said Phiri.
Last week, the Home Affairs Department told Parliament it had trained DIRCO officials to assist in the issuing of visas at foreign missions because it doesn’t have enough staff to deploy to all the embassies.
A delegation of officials from both departments is also expected to travel to Tunisia soon, to inspect the documents and processes followed by another DIRCO official in unilaterally granting study visas to Libyan nationals in just three days, without them presenting all the required information nor presenting themselves in person.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, says he will support Dirco’s investigation.
In a post on X, he has said visas that are linked to the alleged fraud will be cancelled.
“As I warned in Parliament this week, corruption that threatens our national security will continue in the absence of wholesale digital transformation.
“Eliminating outrageous paper-based and hand-written processes is our apex priority, and I call on all sectors of society to support this vision in order to safeguard SA’s sovereignty,” Schreiber said.
South Africa pursues solution with Equatorial Guinea on citizens incarcerated in Malabo
South Africa is deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of its citizens, Peter Huxham and Frik Potigeter, in Equatorial Guinea, said Phiri.
Potgieter and Huxham have been in jail following sentencing on what their families say has been trumped-up drug charges, in retaliation for the seizure of South African assets of that country’s vice president.
Last Tuesday, our Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Ambassador Nolufefe Dwabayo, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Malabo to address these concerns, emphasising the restricted access granted to our officials and the families of the detained individuals, he said.
Simultaneously, our Acting Deputy Director General for Africa summoned the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to South Africa, and he reiterated our concerns and handed over a note verbale. The Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea undertook to convey South Africa’s to his government, added Phiri.
Last week, the families launched an online petition, website and social media campaign to share their story and demand the two men’s urgent release.
Lamola concluded working visit to Japan
Minister Ronald Lamola participated in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) which was held on 24 and 25 August 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.
Lamola participated in a panel discussion on how the government and the private sector can work together to promote economic transformation for start-ups and SMMEs, to spur trade and investment between Africa and Japan. The Minister also had an opportunity to interact and network with Japanese and African start-ups, including some led by young South Africans.
Lamola, for his part, voiced his gratitude for Japanese cooperation towards the decarbonization of South Africa, including technical cooperation. He expressed strong expectations for Japanese companies which are creating many jobs to further expand into South Africa.
He also praised the lifting of a ban on avocado exports from South Africa to Japan and said he has high hopes to promote high-level visits between the two countries, utilizing the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum.
Lamola and Japanese foreign minister also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, Middle East, East Asia, and North Korea.