AfriForum demands answers from DIRCO amid further reports of South African diplomat’s record of destructive conduct

25 May 2021  

The civil rights organisation AfriForum demands answers regarding the destructive conduct by Adv. David Kweli Nkosi, a South African diplomat, abroad. AfriForum’s legal team sent a formal PAIA request as well as a letter of demand to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) today regarding news that Nkosi, who allegedly left damages of around R714 000 to his rented apartment in Vienna in August 2020, is also being accused of similar allegations at a previous mission in India. It is reported that Nkosi has yet to pay back the R53 612 incurred for the damages while he was a diplomat in India.

AfriForum has previously sent a letter to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, and DIRCO regarding the Vienna incident, but has yet to receive a response.

“AfriForum strongly believes that the diplomat Mr Nkosi should pay for the damages out of his own pocket. South African taxpayers cannot be expected to foot the bill for the continued destructive behaviour by a diplomat. Mr Nkosi needs to be held responsible for his unacceptable conduct abroad,” says Ernst van Zyl, Campaign Officer for Strategy and Content at AfriForum.

AfriForum awaits to hear from DIRCO soon.

Issued by Andrea van Wyk, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 25 May 2021