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 against the interdict . . . this clearly demonstrates Dirco’s desperate determination to give taxpayers’ money to their friends and their relentless pursuit of any means to achieve it,” Mostert said.
Dirco Minister Naledi Pandor greeted the judgement with sadness, and said the court’s ruling meant South Africa would not be able to respond to Cuba’s request for humanitarian aid.
Pandor has previously maintained that the idea that, by donating to Cuba, the government was taking money from South Africans was a selfish attitude that did not accord with the country’s Constitution, which promotes friendship and support for countries in need.
“Indeed we have a difficult financial situation as South Africa, but since we do have a few rand that we can use to help others, we do from time to time provide assistance on a small scale that I believe other countries appreciate,” Pandor said.
The review application, which was heard in May, is still awaiting judgement.
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