Minister downplays impact of July riots

The July unrest had no impact on SA’s standing on the continent. That’s the view of International Relations & Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor, who last week argued that many countries faced difficulties. A report on the News24 site notes that she and Ministers in the peace and security cluster were responding to questions in Parliament. Inkatha Freedom Party MP Mkhuleka Hlengwa questioned whether she has found that domestic challenges, including the civil unrest, have been detrimental to SA's stance and ability to commandeer a regional hegemony. ‘What was affected primarily was the economy and not the image of SA or its standing in the region. We also had an impact on the transportation of goods in the region, but steps were taken speedily to ensure those goods reach countries in the region,’ Pandor replied. She added that the unrest and destruction of property had a significant impact on our economy ‘which is already strained’.