MPs questions Dirco about money owed by foreign countries

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) faced intense questioning from South African MPs regarding the country's capacity to recover debts owed by foreign nations. Dirco presented Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations with its proposed strategy for retrieving outstanding payments, including those owed to South African Airways by Zimbabwe for aviation services.

The committee grew irritated after Dirco initially failed to furnish certain figures and details requested by the members. Committee Chairperson Dr Mmusi Maimane expressed doubt about the likelihood of recovering these debts. "Ultimately, I'm not convinced that saying the recovery of funds from these respective countries is unlikely is inaccurate," Maimane declared.

"The debt situation has persisted for years, and the outcome remains unchanged. It seems like a good moment to examine the components you've asked to be addressed, particularly the commercially sensitive issues and other entities that may hold these debts."