Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on International Relations & Cooperation Emma Louise Powell stated on Wednesday that under the Government of National Unity (GNU), South Africa’s embassies across the world must now be staffed by “suitably qualified and appropriately trained professionals, capable of appropriately and impartially representing the country’s miracle democracy”.

Last week, the Department of State in Washington expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool, after he criticised US President Donald Trump’s Presidency.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Rasool was a "race-baiting politician" who hated Trump.

Powell said in light of increased tensions between the US and South Africa, the DA wanted a formal review of foreign policy at the Cabinet level.

“…this includes the adoption of a consensus-based approach to the appointment of ambassadors,” she said.

Pointing to the need to grow the South African economy and create jobs, Powell said the country’s foreign policy must no longer be dictated by the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) historical and fraternal allegiances.

She highlighted the ANC’s 39% electoral support in the last election and said the party could no longer single-handedly determine the country’s foreign policy agenda without consulting partners in government.

Powell pointed to Section 231 (1) of the Constitution, which she said made clear that the negotiation and signing of all international agreements were the responsibility of the National Executive, “in other words - the multi-party Cabinet, established and regulated in terms of the GNU's founding Statement of Intent", she said.

“Specifically, sections 18 – 19.3 of the Statement of Intent specify that decisions taken by the National Executive (Cabinet) must be taken based on ‘sufficient consensus,” she highlighted.