AfirForum managed to successfully secure an itnerdict against the ANC on Tuesday 22 March -Photo via: Twitter / @GovernmentZA
‘We are preparing to return to court’: DIRCO, EFF to fight to send R50m to Cuba
‘We do this directly to oppose the attempt by racists to set aside the decision to donate money to Cuba, in order to stifle aid to our compatriots,’ said the EFF.
AfirForum managed to successfully secure an itnerdict against the ANC on Tuesday 22 March -Photo via: Twitter / @GovernmentZA
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) reacted to the Gauteng High Court ruling that halted the government’s R50 million donation to Cuba on Tuesday, 23 March.
DIRCO, EFF REACT TO COURT RULING
On Wednesday, DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor said the department was studying the interim order judgement. The donation ground to halt after lobby group Afriforum was granted an urgent interdict.
The lobby group welcomed the interdict and further court appearances will be made as it continues its pursuit to stop the Cuban donation entirely.
“None of the respondents could claim that they would suffer any harm were the R50 million donation to be put on hold whilst the matter was adjudicated on its complete merits,” said Judge Brenda Neukircher in her written judgement.
DIRCO was ordered to pay the costs of Afriforum’s urgent application because the case represented the interests of the public.
“We are pleased that we have managed to stop this unlawful and shameful donation in its tracks. We are now optimistic that our review application will succeed in making a final end to the matter,” said Afriforum campaign officer Reiner Duvenage in the wake of the judgement.
Pandor said DIRCO would return to court in 20 days’ time. In the meantime, the department is consulting with its legal representatives and preparing the heads of its arguments.
The minister stressed that the African Renaissance Fund [R50 million donation] does not put money in the pockets of any beneficiary.
“We provide humanitarian aid, be it food, medical supplies, or other forms of support, no money is provided and the funds lie within the budget of the Department of International Relations and cooperation and no other department.
“Nevertheless, we are preparing to return to court,” said Pandor.
Also on Wednesday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it will join the opposition of Afriforum’s final review application.
“We do this directly to oppose the attempt by racists to set aside the decision to donate money to Cuba, in order to stifle aid to our compatriots,” said the party.
The EFF called for strengthened relations between South Africa and Cuba and said “there is no amount of money that can account for the sacrifice the Cubans made towards our freedom.”
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