SA-CAR "Exchange of Diplomatic Notes" shows President Jacob Zuma misled Parliament

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has this afternoon released to me an "Exchange of Diplomatic Notes" between South Africa and the Central African Republic (CAR), signed on 31 December 2012.

The fact is that there was never a second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation between South Africa and the CAR. 

There was only an "Exchange of Diplomatic Notes", between South Africa and the CAR, signed on 31 December 2012, recording certain "understandings" aimed at ensuring South Africa played a more meaningful role in the CAR. 

The diplomatic notes appear to amount to a new agreement which differs substantially from the original MoU signed between South Africa and the CAR in 2007.

The diplomatic notes provide for the "reinforcement of the South African Contingent for self-defence, protection of property and saving of human lives in Bangui".

The expanded scope of cooperation to include - self-defence, protection of property and saving of human lives - was never conveyed to Parliament.

This clearly shows that President Jacob Zuma misled Parliament on the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the CAR.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, April 17 2013

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