Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Emma Powell has stepped down as the party’s spokesperson on International Relations, following intense backlash over allegations that she spread disinformation about the South African government during a recent visit to the United States.
In a statement on Monday, Powell said the decision was not taken lightly, but came after more than two years of demanding international work that had taken both a personal and political toll.
> “I’ve traveled the world representing my party, often speaking out against oppressive regimes,” she said. “In doing so, I’ve faced threats, intimidation, harassment, and even illegal surveillance.”
Powell said her work was driven by a deep commitment to the DA’s principles and to defending South Africa’s constitutional values on a global stage. She claimed her efforts to expose what she sees as concerning ties between the ANC government and authoritarian states came at a heavy cost.
> “In a world that often rewards political expediency, principled leadership is both rare and expensive,” she added. “I’ve done what I could, and now it’s time to hand the baton to someone else.”
The DA confirmed her resignation, framing it as a personal choice rather than a dismissal. According to the party’s national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau, Powell will remain an MP and will be reassigned to a new portfolio soon.
> “Emma remains a valued member of our team in Parliament,” Khakhau said.
Ryan Smith has been appointed as her successor in the international relations role.
What Sparked the Controversy
Powell’s resignation comes in the wake of a controversial trip by a DA delegation to Washington, DC earlier this year. The delegation, which included MP Andrew Whitfield, came under fire for allegedly bypassing diplomatic protocols and for presenting what critics say was a biased view of South Africa’s internal affairs to U.S. leaders.
President Cyril Ramaphosa later fired Whitfield from his deputy minister role for failing to inform him of the trip, which the DA said was intended to “strengthen ties” between South Africa and the U.S.
However, the ANC-led government saw it differently. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, slammed the DA’s actions, saying foreign policy is the responsibility of the executive, not opposition parties.
> “South Africa’s foreign policy is built on non-alignment and national interest,” Lamola said. “Efforts to misrepresent our land reform policies, such as the Expropriation Bill, are deeply concerning.”
He strongly denied accusations that the government had tried to seize land arbitrarily, or that there were diplomatic issues involving President Ramaphosa’s envoy to the U.S., Mcebisi Jonas—claims Powell had previously made.
DA Defends the Trip
Despite the backlash, the DA stood by its visit, insisting it was necessary to ensure that “fact-based information” about South Africa’s political and economic situation reached international stakeholders.
> “Amid rising tensions and misinformation, it’s crucial that our international partners hear a clear and truthful account of what’s happening in South Africa,” Powell said at the time.
She also stressed the importance of keeping diplomatic lines open with the U.S., especially given what she described as “unnecessary provocations” straining bilateral relations.
While her resignation may close a chapter in the DA’s foreign affairs approach, Powell’s departure signals the complex and often politically fraught nature of South Africa’s international image—especially in an era of competing narratives at home and abroad.