Lana Marks: Trump’s SA Ambassador blasted for ‘bizarre, unethical behaviour’

A report which emerged at the back of January claims Donald Trump’s ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, asked the state to spend around $1 million to renovate a second residence for her, which she never occupied. The allegations against the former president’s pick don’t stop there, either.

How Lana Marks allegedly ‘wasted’ $1 million of state funds

The Diplomatic Diary of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy (WIDA), which provides professional training and acts as a watchdog for American diplomats abroad, dropped a string of bombshell revelations with their latest investigation: Those involved in the exposé have slammed the Ambassador for displaying ‘unethical conduct’.

Following a 10-day battle with COVID-19 in ICU, Marks is still in Pretoria – even though her tenure ended last month. Although she only occupied the office for a matter of months, the US politician wanted a second official residence in Cape Town – described by the report as ‘the oceanside city often seen as more desirable than the capital Pretoria’.

Was Trump being wooed for a visit to South Africa?

WIDA’s researches said that Marks pressed another Donald Trump appointee to approve renovations, new furniture, and other spending worth around $1 million. It’s believed the end goal was to entice Trump to visit South Africa, with the promise of being able to accommodate him in the ‘more scenic setting’ of Cape Town. One anonymous diplomat said:

“It was an extremely poor use of taxpayer money and a very poignant example of excess. To make way for the ambassador’s wishes, the US consul general and her family were asked to vacate the residence early.”

WIDA source

What has Lana Marks been accused of?

The damning report makes for a compelling, if not slightly troubling read. Her stance on coronavirus shifted from skeptical to terrified after she actually caught the disease, and apparently, Lana Marks has inherited Donald Trump’s taste for passing off the achievements of others as his own. We’ve put together a quick list of the most eye-opening claims:

(All information below has been provided by the WIDA Report)

1. It seems staff disliked working under ‘a dreaded’ Lana Marks: Many complained about the mistreatment of career employees.
2. It’s understood that some of her actions violated ethics rules and other regulations.
3. Her request to have the Cape Town property vacated was met – and the US Consul General was evicted in the process.
4. The Ambassador apparently threatened to ‘badmouth’ another pro-Trump colleague – by reporting him directly to the ex-president.
5. Allegedly, Marks told diplomats she was unhappy with the ‘furniture and renovations’ at the second residence.
6. The report claims ‘there was no legitimate reason’ for Lana Marks to go to Cape Town in the first place.
7. The Ambassador believed she could ‘talk Donald Trump into visiting South Africa’, if she had a base in Cape Town.
8. One source stated that Marks was an ‘avid anti-masker’, and downplayed the virus until it put her in ICU.
9. A Washington insider, dismayed by her behaviour, says he hopes there will be ‘investigations’ into Marks’ conduct
10. Finally, Lana Marks DID claim credit for creating a direct flight route between Cape Town and New York. This, despite the agreement being agreed some seven months before she took office in South Africa. Trump-esque, indeed…