The DA has strongly condemned the appointment of Ayanda Dlodlo as South Africa’s ambassador-designate to France.

The opposition party labelled Dlodlo a "State Capture cadre" and declared her deployment a glaring example of President Cyril Ramaphosa prioritising ANC loyalists over national interests and foreign policy integrity.

Dlodlo steps into the high-profile diplomatic post left vacant by the late Nathi Mthethwa, who died tragically last year in Paris.

DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith argued that Dlodlo’s track record makes her entirely unfit for the role.

Smith highlighted significant controversies in Dlodlo's political past, including the allegations from the 2021 State Capture Commission claiming she blocked an inquiry into former President Jacob Zuma’s private intelligence unit, and a Public Protector investigation into her involvement in a R1.7-billion broadband deal in 2019.

"The fact that such a key diplomatic and trading partner such as France should have Ayanda Dlodlo as its representative of the South African State is a blight on our foreign service," Smith stated. "It is a stinging insult to the people of South Africa and another blow to our country’s crumbling international reputation."

The diplomatic friction comes at a time of growing economic ties between the two nations. France stands as South Africa’s largest source of foreign direct investment, with French businesses pledging R20.7-billion to the country this year alone.

The DA contended that managing a relationship of this financial magnitude requires impeccable integrity. Smith noted that Dlodlo "lacks the requisite integrity and skill to be trusted with a State budget, let alone any form of economic diplomacy and international trade."

As a partner in the current Government of National Unity, the DA is using the appointment to demand systemic reform in how South Africa selects its foreign emissaries.

The party reiterated its push for a principled, merit-based foreign policy that distances itself from the ANC's traditional political deployment strategies.

"Our country will never be taken seriously when we send our worst people to represent us to some of our best allies," Smith warned, adding that South Africa's foreign service must not be used to "sweep ANC corruption under the diplomatic rug”.