Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma’s decision not to attend a memorial service for former President Nelson Mandela at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday is “a diplomatic blunder South Africa cannot afford,” said the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Wilmot James, on Sunday.
“The President’s recent itinerary is a clear indication of his administration’s skewed priorities, sinister practices and deserves serious scrutiny,” said James.
It was reported that President Zuma snubbed the memorial service of Mandela who passed in December, to attend the wedding of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s daughter over the weekend. A decision which James said is “an affront to the former President’s legacy.”
According to James, the DA will pose parliamentary questions to Zuma, demanding an explanation for his decision.
“The DA will continue to do just that to ensure that Zuma and his ANC are held to account,” said James.
James also criticised the President’s decision to spend time at his Nkandla homestead in Kwazulu-Natal instead of visiting Gauteng when riots erupted during the registration weekend in Sebokeng last month.
The memorial service in honour of Madiba is believed to be the first major event to be staged in honour of a non-Briton at Westminster Abbey.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will lead a government delegation to the service. He will be accompanied by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Collins Chabane.
