Cape Town - Under-fire President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Namibian counterpart, President Hage Geingob, cancelled their much anticipated first meeting, the Bi-National Commission (BNC), after the Farmgate scandal broke to avoid being asked questions around the issue.
This is according to experts, after the Presidency on Thursday confirmed a new date was yet to be set following the rescheduling of the meeting.
The third session of the BNC was set to take place in Windhoek from June 28 to July 1.
The purpose of the session was to review co-operation in a wide range of areas including the diplomatic, legal, economic, social, defence and security domains.
The two countries were also expected to consider and sign new bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding.
Ramaphosa allegedly enlisted Geingob’s help in apprehending suspects who had fled to their home country after the theft at Phala Phala farm.
Five men took off with millions of dollars in cash they found hidden in furniture.
On when the meeting would take place and why it has been delayed, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwena, said: “Once a date has been confirmed we will announce it as we often do.”
Ramaphosa has been under pressure to reveal details around the Phala Phala incident, which until now he has refused to do, citing ongoing investigations.
Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership’s Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu said: “The issue of Phala Phala has created difficulties with relations between the two countries.
“I can imagine that the president of Namibia does not want to be seen as close or easily willing to engage with Ramaphosa because of the scandal.
“They are both worried about the perception on the content of the discussion which may be assumed to include Phala Phala and strategy to cover up the alleged illegal activities.”
Political analyst and deputy vice chancellor: institutional support at the University of Zululand, Professor Sipho Seepe added: “I have no doubt that the Phala Phala drama has an impact on when the Bi National Commission will sit. The Namibian President has been embroiled in matters that has nothing to do with his official duties. And has found himself having to account for crimes that had taken place in South Africa.
For as long as the Phala Phala is still of public interest both Presidents will find themselves having to fend uncomfortable questions. So it is not in their interest to be in a space where this questioning will be unavoidable.”
While Foreign policy expert Siseko Maposa said remaining silent on the matter just “fuels the fire” in terms of public perception.
“If we are to play a game of ‘connecting dots’, then the recent postponement of the South Africa-Namibian Bi-National Commission feeds into the growing narrative that diplomatic relations between the two nations are uncertain following the alleged illegal cover-up of a cash heist by Namibian burglars at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm.
As tantalising as this sounds, however, it seems far too speculative to me, particularly considering that it is rather normal for schedules of heads of states to change and postponements to arise. Having said that, such developments indicate that it is reputational risky for both presidents to remain silent on the Farmgate matter – It’s clear that a lack of decisive answers fuels the fire.
Cape Times