South Africa’s foreign policy and the legitimacy of its governing coalition have been thrust into the spotlight following a fiery exchange over the country’s response to the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The African National Congress (ANC) has issued a forceful condemnation of the United States’ recent move against Maduro, labeling it an act of “aggression” and a “kidnapping.” The party has called for his immediate release, along with that of his wife and child.
The controversy stems from a televised political debate where ANC member Mzwanele “Zandile” Masina articulated the party’s position. He stated the ANC “condemns in the strongest term the kidnapping of the president of that country” by the U.S., framing it as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Masina defended the ANC’s decision to take the matter to the UN Security Council, emphasizing the party’s role in leading the Government of National Unity (GNU) and its consistent foreign policy.
“The people of Venezuela and the global institutions… have capacity to deal with challenges,” Masina said, warning that allowing such actions would “temper with the UN charter.” He expressed confidence that the UN Security Council’s permanent members would ultimately vote to uphold international statutes.
However, this stance has exposed significant fractures within South Africa’s multiparty government. The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) leader, Dr. Corné Mulder, sharply rejected the ANC’s position, stating the party “cannot speak on behalf of all South Africans on Venezuela or foreign policy.” Dr. Mulder welcomed the U.S. action, describing Maduro’s government as “illegitimate and responsible for widespread human rights abuses.”
Dr. Mulder accused critics of the U.S. of remaining “silent for years while Venezuelans endured poverty, repression, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.” He further accused the ANC of hypocrisy, citing its past handling of international law regarding former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and its stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The FF+ contends that the move to approach the UN Security Council was a “unilateral ANC decision, not a position agreed by the Government of National Unity.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) also leveled accusations of “diplomatic hypocrisy,” claiming it exposes the “politically selective” means by which the ANC conducts international relations.
In his response, Masina dismissed the FF+’s criticism, stating the party “does not represent the people of South Africa.” He highlighted South Africa’s recent diplomatic efforts, including its participation in a joint African peace delegation to Ukraine and Russia, as evidence of a consistent and active foreign policy.
“We are the only country possibly in the world that has been accessible to both countries,” Masina said, detailing South Africa’s role in facilitating discussions on prisoner swaps and the return of children removed from Ukraine. “We are not being hypocritical. We are very practical and very honest.”
The debate also touched on internal South African politics, with viewers questioning the stability of the ANC’s alliance with the South African Communist Party (SACP) ahead of local elections. In response to public concern, Masina expressed confidence that the historical alliance would resolve its internal “squabbles,” calling it an alliance “formed through blood” that is crucial for a stable democracy.
The public divergence on a major foreign policy issue underscores the challenges facing the unprecedented GNU, revealing conflicting visions for South Africa’s role on the global stage and testing the cohesion of its coalition government.