The presence of the South African flag during the July 15 discussions in Rabat between Nasser Bourita and Jacob Zuma could trigger further developments. According to local media, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola is considering summoning the Moroccan chargé d'affaires in Pretoria to seek clarification on the matter. In response to a written question from MP Ntokozo Mhlongo, a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters party led by Julius Malema, Lamola explained that his ministry «has put in place measures to respond to the Kingdom of Morocco through official diplomatic channels». «To this effect, the plans are under way to demarche the Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Pretoria to register South Africa's strong objection to the abuse of South Africa's national flag and for using this important symbol in a platform wherein a position contrary to South Africa's official foreign policy position on Western Sahara was articulated», he added. The minister stressed that «the fact that a South African national flag was displayed during an official meeting between the leader of uMkhonto weSizwe and the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco, seemingly elevating the meeting to resemble a State-to-State interaction, is a clear abuse of a national symbol, in this case in the form of the South African national flag». It is worth recalling that at the end of July, the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already declared that «the Republic of South Africa protests the use of South African national symbols, in this instance the use of the South African National Flag» during Zuma's visit to Morocco. This protest followed a directive issued a few days earlier by the ANC leadership. Contradicting this official stance, Jacob Zuma argued that «the South African flag does not belong to the government». «Is there anyone who doesn't know that the flag of any country belongs to the citizens of that country? Is there anyone who doesn't know that?» he asked during a recent press conference. During his visit to Morocco, Zuma expressed support for Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, a position he also defended during a trip to Ghana.
