The International Relations and Cooperation Department has categorically denied claims attributed to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s US envoy, Mcebisi Jonas.
The department accuses the publication Semafor of fabricating quotes allegedly made by Jonas regarding efforts to address prevailing misinformation about South Africa in the United States.
It also says the statements attributed to Jonas in the publication’s Friday newsletter are entirely unfounded.
Jonas was appointed by President Ramaphosa to engage with the US as the two countries’ relations have strained.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says Jonas will no longer have media engagements to dedicate his full attention to the critical responsibility entrusted to him by President Ramaphosa. It says his sole mandate is to advance South Africa’s strategic partnership with the US.
The government has also stressed that South Africa remains committed to transparent, accountable, and dignified diplomacy.
The department further urges all stakeholders to rely solely on official communications for accurate information and respect Jonas’s pivotal role in fostering international cooperation.
Official Clarification from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation – DIRCO
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) April 18, 2025
