SCA dismisses Dirco’s bid to send R50 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba

Johnathan Paoli

THE Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed on Tuesday a bid from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) to overturn an interdict pausing the government’s planned R50 million donations to Cuba, pending the outcome of a review application.

Afriforum secured an interdict in the North Gauteng High court last year to halt the process following Dirco deputy minister Alvin Botes’ announcement of the department’s plans.

In May this year, the same court dismissed an application from Dirco for leave to appeal against the interdict.

The SCA found there were no reasonable prospects of success in an appeal, and further, that there were no other compelling reasons why an appeal should be heard. It dismissed Dirco’s application with costs.

Afriforum campaign officer Charné Mostert said that the organisation was glad the SCA dismissed the department’s attempts to appeal the interdict.

“It is troubling that the department appealed