A war of words erupted in the Western Cape legislature over the visit by Premier Alan Winde to the United States.
Winde was answering questions about his visit to the country, where he had gone to lobby for South Africa to remain in AGOA, which gives South African goods certain trade benefits.
Some American lawmakers have been lobbying for South Africa to no longer be allowed access to AGOA, partly because of this country’s perceived support for Russia.
Cameron Dugmore, the leader of the ANC in the legislature, said: ‘The visit to the US, besides it being probably for funding purposes for next year’s elections, was also based on the desperate attempt to keep old markets.’
Winde hit back, saying that the ANC didn’t care about the economy or jobs and that Russia was funding the party.