Africa-Press – South-Africa. Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga was a no-show in Parliament on Friday to brief the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on the withdrawal of troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
She’s currently in Russia attending Victory Day celebrations.
Although Motshekga sent the committee an apology and delegated her deputy, Bantu Holomisa, to answer members of Parliament (MPs) questions, the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s Nicholas Gotsell said Motshekga’s absence is unacceptable.
On Sunday, Motshekga held a public media briefing on the end of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the DRC, following the body’s announcement of the withdrawal of troops.
Russian media channel Sputnik showed Motshekga being greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other dignitaries, ahead of Friday’s military parades in Moscow.
Registering his objection to her absence from Parliament, DA MP Nicholas Gotsell said this meeting was scheduled weeks ago, and Motshekga’s apology appeared last minute.
“I don’t think a celebration in Russia is not important at all, especially given the agenda items today, and I would like to record my dissatisfaction with the minister not being here.”
But co-chairperson Malusi Gigaba has come out in Motshekga’s defence, saying her deployment to Russia was at the president’s behest.
“It could just not be a celebration. There are diplomatic relations involved between countries, and I think we need to respect that.”
Gigaba said it could be that Motshekga is also expected to discuss issues related to Russia’s war in Ukraine following the recent visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa.
The meeting is now continuing, with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chiefs briefing MPs on the withdrawal operation.
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