Another Controversial Group Seeks Trump's Intervention In South Africa

The Cape Independence Advocacy Group CIAG says it will soon send a delegation to the United States US to lobby for diplomatic and fundraising support for its campaign for an independent Western Cape.

Formed in 2020, CIAGs aim is to democratically, lawfully and peacefully obtain independence for the collective peoples of the Western Cape, according to its website.

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika on Tuesday 18 March, CIAG co-founder Phil Craig said the group had obtained legal advice regarding its intended visit.

We are about to go to the US and the advice we received is, lets not do anything underhand. Well put our cards on the table. Well be very transparent in what we are doing, he said.

Craig said they had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola in this regard.

We said we believe we have the right to do this, and we intend to do this, but in the spirit of fair play, we will give you full notice and invite you to make any representations if you believe we are not entitled to do this, he explained.

In a press statement earlier this week, CIAG said its delegation, which will leave in early April, will meet US officials and other politically connected persons.

Cape Independence would align strongly with the foreign policy aims of the current US administration, and several comments have revealed that it is already on the US' radar, it said.

It aims to fundraise and garner diplomatic support to force the Western Cape Premier to call a referendum on Cape Independence.

It also hopes to win support for contingency plans to hold a private referendum should the Premier continue to refuse to consult the Western Cape people on the matter.