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ANC, DA in tit-for-tat spat overy diplomatic postings

Parliament - The DA accused the ANC of using South Africa's foreign diplomatic missions as a "dumping ground for reject MPs" during a debate on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) on Tuesday.

However, Democratic Alliance MP Stevens Mokgalapa’s call for this to stop backfired when Deputy Dirco Minister Llewellyn Landers pointed out that four DA MPs were also sent on missions abroad.

They were Tony Leon, Douglas Gibson, Sheila Camerer and Sandra Botha.

“So when he takes that position, he needs to be mindful of the four fingers pointed back at himself and his own party,” said Landers.

But DA MP Sandy Kalyan persisted when it was her turn to speak, and focused on a number of ANC officials posted after scandals. She said the ambassador to Mali, Chris Ngcobo, was found to have lied about his matric; Mohau Pheko claimed to have a doctorate, but it was obtained four years after the university closed and she became ambassador to Japan.She said the “fall guy” for the landing of the Gupta family’s private jet at Waterkloof Airfoce Base in 2014, Bruce Kholoane, was given a diplomatic posting in Germany.”If you cheat and you lie you only have to say sorry and you keep your job,” she said.Earlier, Dirco Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashiane said South Africa’s missions abroad were contributing to the country’s economic growth.However, plans were afoot to cut down on missions.

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