International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr. Naledi Pandor on Wednesday said her department was consulting legal representatives regarding the Gauteng High Court interdict against South Africa’s planned R50-million donation to Cuba.
The high court interdicted the donation on Tuesday after AfriForum brought an urgent application.
In a written judgment Judge Brenda Neukircher granted the urgent interdict pending the outcome of proceedings to declare that the donation “unlawful and/or unconstitutional”.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said it noted the interim order granted in the high court that paused implementation of the humanitarian aid that South Africa had agreed it would provide to Cuba.
“We are studying the judgment. It is an interim order. There will be a return to court in 20 days time. We are consulting our legal representatives and preparing our heads of arguments,” said Dr. Pandor.
“And we want to make it clear that the African Renaissance fund does not provide money to any beneficiary.
“We provide humanitarian aid, be it food, medical supplies, or other forms of support, no money is provided and the funds lie within the budget of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and no other department.
“Nevertheless, we are preparing to return to court.
