The ANC's first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has slammed AfriForum and the DA's visits to the US, labelling it as bullying and disrespecting the country's independence.

Speaking at the sidelines of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in the Free State on Monday, Mokonyane echoed President Cyril Ramaphosa's words that they will not be "bullied".

Mokonyane said that they were not "anti-America" like the Americans say, but boldly clarified that they would not be subjected to bullying.

“We are not anti-America, what we are anti is bullying, what we are anti, is disrespect of sovereignty, what we are anti, is a situation where a minority believes they can create instability in this country by going and meet (President Donald) Trump's administration.

"… we don’t even know who they met by the way those who went, even the DA has not told us who they met, they keep saying we met senior people. We have an ambassador who talks with the administration," she said.

Mokonyane added the option of South Africa sending a delegation to the US to explain themselves on the concerns over the Expropriation Act has not been put aside.

"We are also yet to receive formal communication on these things you find on tweets," she said.

Recently, the DA embarked on a week-long working visit to the US to meet with Trump’s administration to address diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US.

This is after AfriForum also went to the US to request Trump to punish the ANC politicians for their policies, particularly the Expropriation Act.

This led to Trump halting financial aid to the country and also offering Afrikaners refugee status in the US.

The party expressed its full support for Ramaphosa and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola in their management of the current strained relations between the United States and South Africa.

Mokonyane also applauded the South African government for its approach to the matter, saying it was smart and diplomatic.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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ANC Stands Firm: 'We're not anti-America, we're anti-bullying'