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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 49036, member: 636"]
South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola blasted political parties for causing confusion during overseas trips. He told reporters that parties can meet anyone they want abroad but must stop twisting government policies. Lamola spoke at Parliament before presenting his department's budget to lawmakers. He warned that Government of National Unity partners cannot pretend their party views represent official government positions. The minister made it clear that only he and specially chosen ministers can speak for South Africa internationally.

Several parties have caused problems during recent foreign visits. The Freedom Front Plus just returned from America where they met with farming and worker groups. The Democratic Alliance took a similar trip earlier and it cost Andrew Whitfield his deputy minister job. The DA and Patriotic Alliance also visited Israel with the African Christian Democratic Party on what they called a fact-finding mission. These trips have created headaches for the government.

Lamola said parties harm South Africa when they spread wrong information about official policies. He explained that even when parties represent their supporters during business trips, they still owe loyalty to their country. The minister stressed that visitors to South Africa always represent their nations properly regardless of their political beliefs. He demanded the same respect from South African parties when they travel abroad.
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