Minister Dlamini Zuma reiterates SA’s Policy on Anti-Semitism

Addis Ababa- South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has taken note of media reports that the South African Jewish Board of Deputies intends laying a complaint against Deputy Minister Fatima Hajaig for alleged comments attributed to the Deputy Minister.

In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma has indicated that she has not had an opportunity to verify the allegations levelled against Deputy Minister Hajaig, primarily because the Deputy Minister is currently in Japan where she is leading a South African government delegation to the SA-Japan Partnership Forum.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is herself leading a South African government delegation to the African Union’s Executive Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Addis Ababa ahead of the scheduled African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government

Nonetheless, Minister Dlamini Zuma wishes to assure the general public that “there has not been any change in the South African Foreign policy. Accordingly, statements in support of anti-Semitism are not reflective of the South African Foreign Policy”.

“South Africa’s Foreign policy, guided by the values of our constitution, has and will always condemn all forms of anti-Semitism and racism wherever it is found and in all its manifestations” concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

29 January 2009