South Africa will close its Fiji High Commission on June 30, says chargé d’affaires Bingo Thamaga.
In a notice to all South Africans in Fiji, Mr Thamaga said in an advisory on May 10 the office would be closed because of “financial constraints which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“It has become necessary for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to close some of its embassies and high commissions abroad, and regrettably, our High Commission has been identified as one of them,” he said.
“With effect from 30th June, 2021, all matters pertaining to South Africa’s bilateral relationship with the Republic of Fiji will be conducted on a non-residential basis by the South African High Commission to Wellington, New Zealand.”
He said the High Commission of the Republic of South Africa in Fiji “deeply regrets this turn of events”.
“The government of the Republic of South Africa continues to attach great importance to its good bilateral relationship and co-operation with the Government and people of Fiji, which have been built for the past 16 years since the opening of the diplomatic office in 2006.”
