MITCHELL’S PLAIN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 31: Western Cape Premier Alan Winde wait in the queue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Mitchell’s Palin CHC on July 31, 2021 in Mitchell’s Plain, South Africa. It is reported that the site was chosen due to vaccine hesitancy in the area. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach)
MITCHELL’S PLAIN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 31: Western Cape Premier Alan Winde wait in the queue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Mitchell’s Palin CHC on July 31, 2021 in Mitchell’s Plain, South Africa. It is reported that the site was chosen due to vaccine hesitancy in the area. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach)
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has drawn a diplomatic line in the sand this week, after he clamped down hard on Russia and its diplomats based in South Africa. The local leader stated on Wednesday that all Russian delegates ‘will not be invited to or involved in’ any official events held in the province.
Winde laid down the law in no uncertain terms, stating that he would also look to meet with SA’s Ukrainian Ambassador to explain the province’s stance going forward. Quite simply, the Western Cape has cut its ties with Russia:
“No Russian Embassy or Consulate official or their staff will be invited to any event or meeting organised by the Western Cape Government; and The Western Cape Government will not attend any events or meetings organised by the Russian Embassy or any of its Consulates.
“I repeat again: we cannot and will not remain silent in the face of an international crisis that threatens the very foundation of our liberal international order. I will seek to meet with the Ukrainian Ambassador to South Africa to communicate this position unequivocally.”
Alan Winde
As you’d expect, this has caused a few chest pains within the ANC. The Western Cape arm of the ruling party blasted Winde’s actions as ‘desperate and embarrassing’, claiming he is ‘clueless’ about political policies.
“We have noted the desperate and embarrassing attempts by Alan Winde to run a parallel state from that which is unitary and democratically elected by the people of this country… Provinces do not enjoy federal status where they can willy-nilly develop policies that are directly opposed to policies and positions taken at the national level.”
ANC Western Cape
The bad blood is set to remain between the DA-run Western Cape and the ANC-led national government, for at least as long as the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on. South Africa’s decision not to condemn Vladimir Putin and his thirst for war at the UN last week sent shockwaves across the world.
DA party leader John Steenhuisen praised Premier Winde for his ‘principled stance’, after he welcomed a decision that compels Parliament to have a debate about the current war in Europe. Strap in for that one, guys.
The DA has succeeded in getting a debate on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) March 9, 2022
This will now be part of Parliament’s agenda as agreed to by the Speaker.
I’m proud that Premier Alan Winde & other DA governments are on the right side of history in condemning Russia’s reprehensible acts. pic.twitter.com/LkNRtKKICY