This mampara almost became a deputy minister for life until the formation of the GNU — which meant there was limited space for patronage. So it seems he became bored and started a side hustle that involved cosying up to countries South Africa has no relations with.
It emerged this week that Obed Bapela lied to the ANC that he was going on a family holiday to Morocco. The ANC and the government have no diplomatic relations with Morocco, owing to that country’s occupation of Western Sahara. It turns out Bapela was wining and dining with the leaders of that country — including its foreign affairs minister, Nasser Bourita — in Rabat. During the junket, Bapela pretended to wield much influence — so much so that he promised to strengthen trade ties between the two countries. He didn’t leave it there and even invited unsuspecting Moroccans to South Africa to explore investment opportunities.
This mampara has since been removed from his position as deputy chair of the party’s subcommittee on international relations.
What a costly freebie!
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