EFF Opposes Schreiber’s Visa-Free Agreement for Ukrainians
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has voiced opposition to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber‘s proposal to establish a visa-free agreement allowing Ukrainians with diplomatic, official, and service passports to travel to South Africa without a visa, and vice versa.
On Sunday, Schreiber announced that the agreement highlights Ukraine as a valued ally, noting that South Africa has historically supported Ukraine since the struggle against apartheid.
“I am honoured to announce that, in my capacity as minister of home affairs representing the Republic of South Africa, I have signed an historic agreement granting visa-free access to our country for Ukranian holders of diplomatic, official, and services passports — and vice versa,” Schreiber shared on social media.
The EFF claims that Schreiber is misinterpreting South Africa’s international alliances. EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys argued that this agreement would allow representatives of what the EFF considers Ukraine’s Neo-Nazi government to enter South Africa without a visa, describing it as a betrayal of the longstanding ties between South Africa and Russia, forged during the anti-apartheid struggle.
Mathys emphasised that Russia and South Africa are founding BRICS members, focusing on shared goals in economic and infrastructure development.
She suggested that Schreiber’s actions are an attempt to undermine South Africa’s relationship with Russia to favor Euro-Western interests and NATO’s intentions to expand into Eastern Europe.
Referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Mathys argued that Russia has the right to protect its sovereignty from NATO, which she claims has a history of interference in other nations.
She cited examples like the NATO-led intervention in Libya and the invasion of Iraq, which led to devastating outcomes for both countries.
Mathys concluded that South Africa should not be pressured into any deal that indirectly supports Western imperialism.
“This agreement must be rejected by all South Africans as it seeks to open flood gates for Neo-Nazi operatives to use South Africa as a base from which to process their intelligence against our ally, Russia. It is also a precursor of a Zionist exodus to find refuge under the pro-Zionist and racist DA government in the Western Cape.”