South Africa has recalled its High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, for consultations after scrutiny over his association with former president Jacob Zuma during a recent visit to India…reports Africa Daily News Desk
South Africa has recalled its High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, for further consultations following questions over his association with former president Jacob Zuma during the latter’s recent visit to India.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed the decision during a press conference on Wednesday, saying Sooklal had been asked to return to headquarters while the government reviewed its protocols governing diplomatic support for former presidents and deputy presidents travelling overseas.
“We confirm that High Commissioner Anil Sooklal has been recalled to the headquarters for further consultations,” Lamola said.
The minister said the government had also submitted recommendations to Parliament and the Presidency for a new framework to regulate protocol and diplomatic assistance provided to former national leaders during international travel.
Under the proposed framework, former presidents and deputy presidents seeking diplomatic or protocol support would be required to disclose the purpose of their visit, travel itinerary, planned activities, sources of funding, principal hosts, key engagements and the capacity in which they would be travelling.
“As part of this framework, the president and DIRCO jointly established a mandatory disclosure mechanism, requiring former presidents and deputy presidents seeking protocol and diplomatic support to provide full details of the purposes of travel, programmes, activities, sources of funding, principal hosts, key engagements, and the capacity in which they will be travelling,” Lamola said.
He said the disclosure mechanism would enable authorities to assess potential reputational, political, diplomatic and security risks associated with such visits.
Lamola also stressed that the measures were intended to prevent former leaders from being perceived as representing South Africa’s foreign policy without the approval of 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.
Sooklal, who previously served as South Africa’s G20 and BRICS sherpa before his appointment as High Commissioner to India, came under scrutiny after accompanying Zuma during his visit to Haridwar in June.
During the visit, Zuma and Sooklal met Niranjani Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri at Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Mandir.
Swami Kailashanand Giri said Ajay Gupta, an Indian-origin businessman linked to South Africa’s state capture scandal, was a friend of Zuma.
“Former South African President Jacob Zuma visited Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Mandir today. He is friends with Ajay Gupta, who is a disciple and member of the ashram family,” Swami Kailashanand Giri said.
The Gupta family became central to South Africa’s “state capture” investigations after allegations that they used their close relationship with Zuma to influence government appointments and secure lucrative state contracts. The Gupta brothers left South Africa in 2018 after a judicial commission launched an investigation into allegations of corruption and undue political influence during Zuma’s presidency.
