By Charmaine Ndlela
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of former State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo as South Africa’s ambassador-designate to France, accusing him of using a key diplomatic posting to reward a politically connected ANC figure.
DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith said Dlodlo’s appointment placed “the interests of ANC cadres above those of South Africa and its foreign policy”.
Smith referred to allegations and evidence that emerged at the State Capture commission, including Dlodlo’s failed attempt in 2021 to halt State Security Agency testimony before the inquiry.
He also cited a 2019 Public Protector complaint linked to the City of Johannesburg’s R1.7 billion broadband project, which the DA had previously asked the Chapter 9 institution to investigate.
“The fact that such a key diplomatic and trading partner as France should have Ayanda Dlodlo representing the South African state is a blight on our foreign service, a stinging insult to the people of South Africa, and another blow to our country’s crumbling international reputation,” Smith said.
The DA said France was one of South Africa’s most important investment partners. Official South Africa Investment Conference data shows French-linked investment pledges of R20.7 billion this year.
“Such a crucial international partner cannot be managed by an individual as severely compromised as Ayanda Dlodlo,” Smith said.
The party said South Africa’s foreign service should not be used to “sweep ANC corruption under the diplomatic rug” and called for diplomatic appointments to be based on the country’s interests rather than those of the governing party.
Dlodlo succeeds the late ambassador Nathi Mthethwa, who died in Paris in September 2025 while serving as South Africa’s envoy to France.
Her appointment was confirmed on Monday, days before Ramaphosa is due to travel to France for a working visit from 10 to 12 July.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa would co-chair the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee on Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on education, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 10 July.
He is also expected to participate in the Transforming Education Summit stocktake and attend the 110th commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood on 12 July.
Dlodlo, 63, is a former Cabinet minister who served under both Jacob Zuma and Ramaphosa.
She was State Security Minister during the July 2021 unrest before resigning from Parliament in April 2022 to take up a post as an executive director at the World Bank Group.
Dlodlo most recently served as executive director for Angola, Nigeria and South Africa at the World Bank Group.
She previously also served as Minister of Public Service and Administration, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Communications.
She also served as Deputy Minister for Public Service and Administration from 2010 to 2017 and as parliamentary counsellor to the president between 2009 and 2010.
