Latest news with #EmmaPowell
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Is GNU to blame for Powell's resignation as DA's international relations spokesperson?
The ANC also slammed Powell for allegedly being sympathetic towards Israel. Questions are being raised after Emma Powell resigned as the DA's international relations spokesperson on Monday. Powell said she decided to step down after being harassed, threatened and intimidated. However, a political analyst from the University of Free State (UFS), Sanet Solomon, said there could be more to Powell's resignation than meets the eye. 'Emma Powell's resignation was rather abrupt given the work that she has been doing for the DA over the past few years. 'While some regard at indicative of the friction between the DA and the ANC, it is possible that she could be leaving for the opposite reason,' she said. Is Powell frustrated with the DA's role in the GNU? Solomon said over the past few weeks the DA has been silent on numerous matters that it would ordinarily be opposed to. She said this could be a sign of the party's willingness to be a 'good team member'. 'It could also indicate that it is straying from its core constituents, goals and values, making it challenging for Emma to continue in her current position,' said Solomon. Powell claimed that her work as the party's spokesperson on international relations has led to her being spied on, harassed and threatened. ANC slams Powell for stance on Israel But ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri questioned these claims. She also criticised Powell for her position on the war in Gaza. 'As the ANC we find it interesting that her non-resignation is receiving more attention than her attempts to whitewash Israel's genocide,' Bhengu-Motsiri said. In her resignation letter, Powell said she had exposed the ANC and the department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) for their relationships with authoritarian regimes. But she has also been criticised for going to Israel on a 'fact finding' mission earlier this year. Powell has been accused of being sympathetic to Israel despite the South African government taking a 'non-aligned' stance when it comes to the war in Gaza. She has been a fierce critic of ANC foreign policy and was also accused of discrediting the country in a trip she took with another senior DA member to the United States (US). Powell says threats are real Speaking to The Citizen on Tuesday, Powell said the threats to her life are real. 'All I can say on record is that I have various levels of protection already and I have for some time,' she said. DA in support of Powell DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party is fully behind Powell. 'The DA is grateful for the outstanding work that Emma Powell has done whilst she served as our spokesperson for international relations and cooperation. 'She remains a valued member of the DA caucus in Parliament, and we will soon announce her new portfolio allocation,' he said. Meanwhile, in response to suggestions that Powell might have been upset by decisions the DA has made since joining the GNU, Aucamp said it is important to keep in mind that no party won elections with an outright majority. 'It is very important that all parties that are members of the GNU respect and adhere to the statement of Intent that was signed when the GNU was formed,' he said. ALSO READ: DA MPs in Israel: 'We do not owe the ANC an explanation' ANC's foreign policy Prof Dirk Kotze from the University of South Africa (Unisa) told The Citizen that the ANC will keep butting heads with the DA over foreign policy because it regards it as its own. 'They have regarded it as their domain since 1994 onwards, especially at the time when Thabo Mbeki was president; that was one of his most important areas of focus,' he said. However, Kotze believes the tension over foreign policy is not strong enough to collapse the GNU. He also indicated that foreign policy was a delicate area and has always been treated with care by all governments around the world. NOW READ: Emma Powell resignation: Here's who will replace her
The South African
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Emma Powell quits as DA's international relations spokesperson amid harassment claims
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Emma Powell has stepped down from her role as the party's international relations spokesperson, citing ongoing harassment, threats, and intimidation linked to her outspoken stance on South Africa's foreign policy. In a statement posted to her X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Powell confirmed her resignation, describing a pattern of targeted pressure that has escalated in recent months. Her decision follows recent allegations that she had been spied on by the State Security Agency (SSA). This development further intensified what Powell described as a toxic and dangerous environment for MPs who challenge government narratives. 'Driven by my commitment to the DA's foundational principles, I accepted these risks as the unavoidable cost of standing up to and exposing the Department of International Relations and the ANC's relationships with authoritarian regimes,' Powell wrote. Powell has frequently clashed with the ANC, most recently alleging that President Cyril Ramaphosa's special envoy, Mcebisi Jonas, was denied a US visa – a claim that was met with sharp rebuke from the ruling party. Her foreign engagements have drawn criticism from the ANC, which accused Powell of acting against South Africa's official diplomatic stance. These included a high-profile visit to the United States in March – a trip linked to the dismissal of DA colleague Andrew Whitfield as a deputy minister – and a sponsored visit to Israel in April, both seen as controversial by senior government figures. The DA confirmed that Ryan Smith, Powell's former deputy, will now assume the international relations spokesperson role. DA chief whip George Michalakis thanked Powell for her service, stating she would soon be reassigned to a new portfolio within the party. 'We are grateful for the work she's done on the international stage and will continue to benefit from her experience in Parliament,' said Michalakis. Powell, who has been a DA MP since 2019, said she would remain in parliament to help empower others – particularly women – to lead in politics. Despite stepping down from the international portfolio, Powell made it clear she will continue speaking out against authoritarianism and advocating for transparent governance. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Emma Powell steps down as DA spokesperson following US trip controversy
DA MP Emma Powell has resigned as spokesperson for International Relations after being accused of discrimination peddler to the US. Image: X@EmmaPowell DA MP Emma Powell has stepped down from her position as the party's spokesperson on International Relations amid serious allegations of spreading disinformation regarding the South African government during a visit to the US. In a statement issued on Monday, Powell revealed that after more than two years in this role, she made the difficult decision to resign, citing the significant personal and political toll her work has taken on her. 'We must each do what is possible to tip the world's axis toward freedom, but good leaders know when it is time to step back and allow others to carry the baton forward,' she said. The DA confirmed her resignation in a separate statement, saying Powell had 'chosen' to step down. The party thanked her for her service and announced that she would soon be reassigned to a new portfolio. The party also announced that Ryan Smith would take over as the new spokesperson on international relations and cooperation. Powell's resignation follows a controversial DA delegation trip to Washington, DC in March, which included MP Andrew Whitfield, a former deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. President Cyril Ramaphosa later fired Whitfield for taking the trip without informing him. The visit, according to the party, was aimed at strengthening relations between South Africa and the US, and drew sharp criticism from the ANC-led government. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola expressed concern over the DA's actions, arguing that foreign policy matters are the constitutional prerogative of the executive. Lamola criticised what he described as attempts to misrepresent South Africa's land reform efforts, particularly the Expropriation Bill, which has drawn international attention and criticism. He insisted the bill does not allow arbitrary land seizure. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Emma Powell's resignation linked to ANC tensions and US diplomatic relations, says expert
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Emma Powell, who has been accused of spreading disinformation to the US has stepped down from the position of the party's spokesperson for International Relations. Image: X@EmmaPowell Political analyst and international relations expert Professor Bheki Mngomezulu said he is not surprised by the resignation of Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Emma Powell, who has been accused of spreading disinformation to the US as the spokesperson for International Relations. 'This should not come as a surprise. Just the other day, the DA made a statement expressing concern that the South African government has not reached an agreement with the Trump administration on trade issues,' Mngomezulu said. He said the move speaks to the continuation of the DA's pre-election posture, aligning more with the United States than the South African government, despite being part of the GNU. Mngomezulu added that the current standoff between Pretoria and Washington is likely to cause friction not only between the DA and its coalition partners, including the African National Congress (ANC), but also within the DA itself. 'I don't know all the reasons why she decided to resign, but my sense is that it has to do with South Africa's relations with the US and differing opinions on how the matter should be handled both within the DA and in the coalition,' he said. Earlier, IOL News reported that Powell announced in a statement that she was stepping down after more than two years in the role. 'Over the past two and a half years, I have traveled the world on behalf of my party, first as shadow minister and later as national spokesperson, speaking out against some of the most repressive and brutal regimes in the world,' she said. Powell claimed that her advocacy work led to threats, intimidation, harassment, and illegal surveillance. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ 'Driven by my commitment to the DA's foundational principles, I accepted these risks as the unavoidable cost of standing up to and exposing DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation) and the ANC's relationships with authoritarian regimes,' she said. The DA confirmed Powell's resignation in a separate statement and thanked her for her service. The party said she would soon be reassigned to a new portfolio. DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau announced that Ryan Smith would replace Powell as the party's new spokesperson on international relations and cooperation. Powell's departure comes after she took a trip to Washington, DC in March, along with former deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, Andrew Whitfield President Cyril Ramaphosa later dismissed Whitfield for taking the trip without proper authorisation. The DA said the visit was aimed at strengthening ties between South Africa and the US. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola previously said the party's actions undermined the constitutional prerogative of the executive in foreign policy matters. 'Africa's non-aligned stance and the advancement of our national interest remain central pillars of South Africa's foreign policy,' Lamola previously told IOL News. He also criticised what he called misrepresentations of South Africa's land reform efforts, particularly the Expropriation Bill, insisting the legislation does not permit arbitrary land seizure. Tensions between the DA and the ANC escalated further after Powell recently claimed that Ramaphosa's envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, had been denied entry and that his diplomatic credentials had been rejected. The Presidency denied the claims. Powell, who has been a DA MP since 2019, is known for opposing ANC's foreign policies. Mngomezulu said the ANC has long accused Powell of spreading disinformation to the US. 'Yes, that is true… In fact, the DA has been disingenuous in its relations with the US, because there are only three constitutional avenues for communication with the US, the ambassador, the DIRCO minister, and the presidency.' He said the DA does not fall within those formal channels. 'So going there before the coalition government was constituted was wrong even then. It's even more wrong now because they are part of the government,' he said. Mngomezulu said if Powell or Whitfield acted without authorisation, it becomes a serious issue. He added that Powell's resignation appears to come from both her conflict with the ANC and tensions within the DA itself. 'Truth be told, not all DA members are acting in the manner that she and others have. Some are level-headed and more likely to see when things are not done properly.' It is not clear where Powell will be reassigned, but the DA now faces scrutiny over its next move. 'The DA has often accused the ANC of recycling officials into new roles when they underperform. Are they not doing the same thing?' Mngomezulu said. 'If Powell has done anything wrong and admits to it, the party should act accordingly. But because she resigned voluntarily, she may be deployed elsewhere as long as she remains a member in good standing.' He said Powell's situation highlights broader problems within the GNU. 'This coalition was built on shaky ground. It's a coalition of convenience, marked by an identity crisis between the ANC and DA, while the other eight parties are largely ignored,' he said. 'This is not how a coalition should function. It also shows that the president is not strong enough to manage the coalition, which is why the DA continues to act independently and even threatens to withdraw - before realising they would lose benefits, and deciding to stay despite dissatisfaction.' IOL Politics
News24
a day ago
- Politics
- News24
Ramaphosa touts state capture gains; Citrus at risk: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24 News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Ramaphosa claims 'significant progress' in implementing state capture recommendations - President Ramaphosa claims 'significant progress' in implementing accountability and institutional reforms related to state capture, reporting 48% completion of actions from the Zondo Commission's recommendations. - Nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds has been recovered, with high-profile state capture cases scheduled for trials in 2025-2026. - Despite progress, criticism remains regarding implicated ministers still in office and the effectiveness of reforms in preventing future state capture. Lisalee Solomons/News24 Alleged Cape Town baby snatcher Shamiema Jacobs granted bail - Shamiema Jacobs, accused of kidnapping a nine-day-old baby in Cape Town, was granted R4 000 bail. - The magistrate imposed strict conditions, including that Jacobs cannot go to Mitchells Plain and Strandfontein and must report to the police three times a week. - Jacobs faces charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice after the baby was found at her home. Emma Powell resigns as DA's international relations spokesperson - Emma Powell resigned as the DA's international relations spokesperson after being accused of spreading disinformation about South Africa during a US visit. - The DA had previously requested protection for Powell amid allegations that she undermined SA's international relations by pushing an anti-government agenda in the US. - Ryan Smith will take over Powell's role, and she will remain a member of the DA caucus in Parliament with a new portfolio to be announced soon. Gallo Images/Die Burger/Theo Jeptha Ramaphosa denies Mchunu special treatment, justifies Cachalia costs in court papers - President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave amid corruption allegations, citing it as rational and constitutional. - MK Party and Jacob Zuma challenged the special leave, Cachalia's appointment, and the inquiry in the Constitutional Court, claiming they are unconstitutional. - Ramaphosa justified appointing Professor Cachalia as acting minister to uphold criminal justice legitimacy, despite the costs, and denies giving Mchunu special farmers warn of rotting fruit as US tariff deadline looms - The SA Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) is concerned about a looming 30% tariff from the US on 1 August, which could make farmland unprofitable. - The CGA is requesting urgent government intervention to secure a new trade deal with the US or a special extension of the 10% universal tariff for fresh produce exports. - If the 30% tariff is implemented, farmers could see 500 to 1 000 hectares of farmland become unprofitable, and many cartons of citrus will be left unsold. Richard Huggard/Gallo Images Gutted Wallabies give Rassie fresh incentive to mobilise his '7-1' Bok brew - Despite improved performances from Skelton and Valetini, the Wallabies still lack consistent forward power. - The Springboks may use a forward-heavy bench split (6-2 or 7-1) to exploit this weakness in the upcoming Rugby Championship matches. - South Africa has dominated Australia in recent matches, winning the last four encounters. Show Comments ()
