International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has recalled South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, for consultations after he was seen accompanying former president Jacob Zuma and alleged state capture figure Ajay Gupta during Zuma’s recent visit to India.
Lamola made the announcement during a media briefing on Wednesday, saying Sooklal had been called back to South Africa for further consultations.
The minister also revealed that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) had proposed tighter regulations governing the diplomatic and protocol support provided to former presidents and deputy presidents travelling internationally.
“We have also submitted recommendations to Parliament and the Presidency to consider a new framework for protocol and diplomatic support to former presidents and deputy presidents during international travel,” Lamola said.
Under the proposed framework, former presidents and deputy presidents seeking diplomatic or protocol assistance would be required to disclose detailed information about their international travel.
This would include the purpose of the trip, planned activities, sources of funding, key engagements and the capacity in which they would be travelling.
Lamola said the proposed measures were intended to prevent former leaders from creating the impression that they were representing South Africa’s foreign policy without authorisation from the sitting president.
“This will help us avoid a situation where former presidents portray themselves as also representing South Africa’s foreign policy, particularly when they have not been mandated by the sitting head of state,” he said.
The proposed framework is expected to provide clearer guidelines on the role of former political leaders during international engagements and ensure that diplomatic representation remains aligned with the government’s official foreign policy.