Western Cape MEC's Taiwan visit unleashes opposition party fury

News24

08-05-2025

A heated debate unfolded in the Western Cape legislature over MEC Ivan Meyer's Taiwan trip, which led to sanctions by China.
Meyer was banned from entering China, Hong Kong and Macao for violating the One China principle.
Opposition parties claimed Meyer's actions risked crucial trade agreements with China.
A ruckus broke out during a Western Cape legislature sitting on Thursday over MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Ivan Meyer's trip to Taiwan, which led to sanctions from China.
Meyer was barred by China in December last year from entering China, Hong Kong and Macao with his family for violating the One China principle, which demands countries recognise Taiwan as part of China and avoid formal relations with Taiwan.
The Chinese government further criticised Meyer's trip as interference in its internal affairs. The sanctions also prohibit meaningful economic exchanges between Meyer and Chinese citizens.
Opposition parties accused Meyer of putting crucial trade agreements between China and the province in jeopardy.
Leading the charge, ANC provincial leader in the legislature, Khalid Sayed, asked Premier Alan Winde whether Meyer would be held accountable.
'Whatever MEC Meyer does reflects on the position that he holds; hence, he takes an oath of office. The undeniable facts available are that the recent visit to Taiwan by MEC Meyer does in fact run the risk of jeopardising and straining the Western Cape's, and indeed South Africa's, vital diplomatic trade and investment relations with the People's Republic of China, especially considering South Africa's official foreign policy position regarding the One China policy,' he said.
In response, Winde told members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) that Meyer's trip to Taiwan was not an official engagement conducted on behalf of the provincial government or any of its entities.
'It was conducted strictly in his personal and private capacity and not as a member of this government. I've been informed that at no time did MEC Meyer suggest that he made the trip as a representative of this government, nor did he attempt to suggest any endorsement of the trip on this government's behalf,' he said.
Winde further said the province values its ties to the People's Republic of China.
The ANC has consistently criticised the DA over Meyer's trip. Two weeks ago, the ANC caucus left the provincial legislature after its member, Rachel Windvogel, was kicked out after she refused to apologise for saying that Meyer had 'betrayed' the country by visiting Taiwan.
DA MPL Benedicta van Minnen hit back at Sayed, accusing him of having 'selective amnesia'.
'Just eight days ago, the honourable member (Sayed) shared a picture on X of himself engaging with Russian representatives, recklessly risking our trade relations with Europe and the United States. Such actions threatened vital agreements like AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), which underpin key industries and thousands of jobs. Yet today he rises to launch a frivolous and deeply inaccurate interpolation, levelling baseless accusations against MEC Meyer, ironically for the very conduct of which he himself is guilty of,' she said.
Van Minnen was referring to when Sayed joined the Russian consulate for a reception on the occasion of the arrival of the iconic Kruzenshtern Russian ship in the port of Cape Town.
ACDP leader Ferlon Christians accused the ANC benches of misleading the residents of the province.
'This topic is repeated, and I think the ANC is causing more damage by misleading the people. I want to say to members of this House that when they visit countries in their private capacity, they must do so. Member Windvogel must still apologise,' he said.
Windvogel shouted, 'I will never do that'.
GOOD party MPL Brett Herron said Meyer's foremost duty was to protect and advance the economic interests of the province.
He asked:
He also wondered 'what exactly happened, or how egregious his behaviour was' to have led to a ban if the MEC had visited Taiwan in a personal capacity.
'Being banned from engaging directly with Chinese officials and business representatives places MEC Meyer in a compromised position.
'It limits his ability to build relationships, attract investment, and promote trade, all of which are critical functions of his portfolio,' said Herron.
Meyer was not present during the legislature sitting. Comment from him will be added once received.