Party leader Dr Corné Mulder described the decision as another example of what he called the ANC’s unilateral approach to foreign policy, which he says does not serve South Africa’s broader national interests.

The Freedom Front Plus said it was taken aback by DIRCO’s decision to declare Israeli diplomat Ariel Seidman persona non grata. DIRCO claims the decision followed what it described as repeated violations of diplomatic norms that allegedly challenged South Africa’s sovereignty.

According to DIRCO, Mr Seidman used official Israeli social media platforms to post insulting remarks about President Cyril Ramaphosa and failed to formally notify the department about visits by senior Israeli officials to the country.

However, the Freedom Front Plus questioned these claims, arguing that the officials in question were in South Africa in their personal capacities and that the allegations lack substance.

The party also raised concern about the timing of the decision, noting that South Africa’s relationship with the United States remains fragile. Israel is a key US ally, and the Freedom Front Plus believes DIRCO’s action could be seen as provocative and damaging to broader international relations.

The move, the party said, continues a pattern of ANC-driven decisions taken without consulting other partners in the Government of National Unity, despite foreign policy not being the sole domain of one party.

The Freedom Front Plus further suggested that the expulsion may be linked to the earlier removal of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, describing it as possible retaliation.

With critical decisions on AGOA still pending, the party warned that such drastic diplomatic actions could put trade relations, investment and jobs at risk during an already difficult economic period.

The Freedom Front Plus has renewed its call for urgent consultation within government and a more balanced, pragmatic and fact-based foreign policy that prioritises the interests of all South Africans. The party says it will continue engaging President Cyril Ramaphosa on the matter.

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Thabang Matanye Mokonyane from Mokopane in Limpopo went to Zimbabwe with his girlfriend Khathutshelo Mbedzi, whose father is Zimbabwean and mother South African to visit her family since it was a festive season.

Mokonyane is the son of Mokgadi Tryphina Mokonyane.

According to the Forum for South Africa (FOSA) they have been approached regarding the matter of Mokonyane.

“Thabang had travelled to Zimbabwe with his girlfriend, Khathutshelo and the family became concerned on 1 January after losing contact with him. It was later confirmed that his lifeless body was found hanged on a tree and is currently being kept at a mortuary in Zimbabwe,” the statement reads.

FOSA further said the family is devastated, financially distressed and unable to repatriate the body to South Africa for burial.

“They are appealing for urgent assistance to ensure that their loved one is brought home and laid to rest with dignity. The family has further expressed serious concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding Thabang Mokonyane’s death and is requesting that the matter be handled with transparency and urgency by the relevant authorities.

FOSA was contacted yesterday (Sunday) to assist the family and to escalate the matter to the appropriate stakeholders.

FOSA called on Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), The South African High Commission in Zimbabwe and the relevant law enforcement and consular services to intervene without delay.

“They must assist the family with repatriation processes and ensure that the circumstances of the death are properly attended to. We appeal to community members, organisations.and good Samaritans who may be able to support the family during this painful time.No family should be left helpless and stranded in grief across borders,” the statement reads.

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Mashatile’s emanetes from the responses he gave parliamentary which wanted detailes about his Japan working visit, which took place from 16 to 19 March 2025.

Mashatile stated to parliament that during his trip to Japan he was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka, Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, and Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina.

Now in a twist of events ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip Matthew Goerge said his organization is baffled by Mashatile’s latest attempt to evade accountability for his international and domestic travel expenses.

George claims that Mashatile has tried to sidestep scrutiny by deflecting the question to DIRCO.

“This sly bureaucratic manoeuvre has rightly been rejected by Parliament. We also refuses to accept this evasive wriggle, with the National Assembly now returning the reply and recommending that the Mashatile respond fully and directly to our question. This attempted dodge comes after we exposed the Deputy President’s shocking R2.3 million trip to Japan, as well as the GNU’s nearly R300 million in combined travel expenses since taking office on our GNU Tracker,” he said.

George said that Action SA have introduced the Enhanced Cut Cabinet Perks Bill designed to rein in the extravagant perks enjoyed by Ministers.

“It is precisely this culture of entitlement and evasiveness that ActionSA seeks to end. That is why we have introduced the Enhanced Cut Cabinet Perks Bill. Addition, our Constitutional Amendment Bill proposes the complete abolition of all 32 Deputy Minister positions as outdated and wasteful layer of government that South Africa simply cannot afford.

“We will not allow the political elite to hide behind bureaucracy and live in luxury while South Africans struggle. We will continue to expose waste, demand accountability and fight for an ethical government that respects the people’s money,” he said.

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