South Africa Drafts New Rules for Former Presidents’ Overseas Trips
South Africa’s foreign minister Ronald Lamola has pressed Parliament for fresh regulations on former leaders’ overseas visits, demanding full disclosure and risk assessment before any trip proceeds. The call follows ex‑President Jacob Zuma’s recent trip to India, which sparked controversy when he met Ajay Gupta, a businessman at the centre of a massive corruption scandal that helped topple Zuma’s government.
During the India visit, photos of Zuma and Gupta were taken at a temple, and South Africa’s High Commissioner to India was photographed with the duo, leading to the diplomat’s recall. The ceremony rekindled criticism that Zuma’s visits serve personal interests instead of national duty.
Lamola’s proposal requires earlier and more granular details on any former head’s itinerary, allowing the Foreign Affairs Department to gauge diplomatic, security and reputational risks. The aim is to eliminate past incidents in which Zuma’s trips—such as the 2023 visit to Morocco—caused diplomatic friction over Sahara claims.
The commission that investigated state capture concluded that Zuma repeatedly appointed ministers to serve the Gupta family’s interests. Those findings have intensified calls for stricter oversight as the country seeks to restore confidence in its political leadership.
If approved, the new protocol will serve as a warning that former leaders will no longer receive unchecked support for foreign engagements, ensuring transparency and accountability in a country still healing from years of corruption.
