Chairperson,
South Africa’s International Relations budget reflects strategic ambition but lacks fiscal discipline; Parliament must demand data on measurable impact with ethical consistency and transparency in global engagements.
The Portfolio Committee’s Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report on International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) reveals persistent concerns.
The Department underspent its R6.5 billion allocation by R1.1 billion in 2024/25, largely due to delays in infrastructure upgrades and unfilled diplomatic posts. Yet, this underspending coexists with irregular expenditure totalling R44.5 million, as flagged by the Auditor-General.
The African Christian Democratic Party has consistently called for value-based diplomacy, budgetary accountability, and ethical consistency in foreign policy. DIRCO’s continued support for regimes with appalling human rights records including recent engagements with Iran and Belarus undermines South Africa’s constitutional commitment to dignity and freedom. Parliament has failed to interrogate these contradictions, despite civil society and media critique.
Furthermore, the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund known as ARF, remains opaque; its disbursements lack clear performance indicators, and Parliament has not enforced Section 5 of the ARF Act, which requires transparent reporting and measurable outcomes.
Social media commentary has criticised Parliament’s silence on the diplomatic property scandal in New York, where millions were spent on a derelict building. This reflects a broader failure to exercise oversight over DIRCO’s asset management and global footprint.
I thank you.
