EFF’s Godrich Gardee slams Mcebisi Jonas’s appointment as US special envoy

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Godrich Gardee has voiced strong opposition to the appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa’s special envoy to the United States. Speaking during the Good Friday Mass at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Orlando, Gauteng, Gardee said President Cyril Ramaphosa should have appointed a pastor or an ordinary citizen instead of Jonas.

“Well, it’s unfortunate. We’ve got nothing to support or even not to support,” Gardee told SABC News, adding that Ramaphosa had not properly vetted Jonas before announcing the appointment.

Concerns Over MTN and Iran Links

President Ramaphosa announced Jonas’s appointment earlier in the week, stating he would be responsible for strengthening diplomatic and trade relations with the US and fostering partnerships with both government officials and private-sector leaders. However, Jonas’s current position as chairperson of MTN has sparked concern, particularly due to MTN’s business interests in Iran—a country frequently at odds with the United States.

Godrich Gardee

“For the fact that Jonas is the chairperson of MTN, it will have a dent on the appointment,” Gardee said. “What could be called a contradiction or the economic relationship between MTN and Iran, which is an arch-enemy of the USA, is something that cannot be ignored.”

Controversial Past Comments Resurface

Gardee also criticized Jonas for past remarks about former US President Donald Trump. In 2020, Jonas referred to Trump as “a racist, homophobic and narcissistic right-winger,” a comment which Gardee believes could now affect his credibility as a diplomatic representative.

He added: “Anyone they try to take to the USA will not fit into that administration of Trump. I think they’d rather go look for a pastor or an ordinary person from the streets.”

When asked who he would have preferred for the position, Gardee simply responded, “No comment.”

Presidency Defends Appointment

In response to the backlash, the South African Presidency has defended Jonas, saying his past remarks were made in a personal capacity and before holding any official role.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: “The comments he made were made in his capacity as a private citizen. At that time, he was not an ambassador or an envoy and did not represent the South African government. Those remarks should be viewed in that context.”

Despite the criticism, the Presidency maintains confidence in Jonas’s ability to effectively carry out his diplomatic duties.