The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation expressed disappointment with Ambassador Stone Sizani’s nonattendance at the committee’s oversight session in Brussels, recommending that International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola initiate an investigation.

The committee was engaged with the European High Commission during its “unprecedented” week-long oversight mission in Europe.

Committee chairperson Supra Mahumapelo expressed concern that Sizani did not send an apology, saying it was a missed opportunity for him to engage constructively with Parliament and to demonstrate how his work in Germany contributed to advancing South Africa’s foreign policy objectives, particularly in addressing the country’s pressing socioeconomic challenges and promoting redress.

Considering these developments, Mahumapelo said the committee had resolved to formally report its concerns to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza.

Mahumapelo pointed to previous “limited cooperation” from Sizani.

“…during its oversight visit to Germany in October 2023, the committee sought to assess two vacant State-owned properties in Bonn. Despite the significance of this engagement, the ambassador did not attend, without tendering a formal apology to the committee for his absence,” he explained.

The committee will also engage with the Presidency to express its view that Sizani’s conduct does not meet the standards “expected of a representative of South Africa’s national interests abroad”.