Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says he did not agree to the British government’s decision to cut aid to Africa, with his role in the discussions having been misrepresented.

“I was surprised to read the statement: ‘I have agreed with my South African counterparts that South Africa is now in a position to fund its own development.’

“There was no such agreement. At no stage did I agree to the cut in aid, a point which I repeated to Ms Greening when we met on Tuesday this week,” said the minister in a statement on Thursday.

On Tuesday, government said it had noted with regret the “unilateral announcement” by the UK regarding the termination of the Official Development Aid to South Africa from the year 2015.

Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, said it was a major decision with far reaching implications on the projects that were currently running.

This comes after the BBC reported that British International Development Secretary, Justine Greening, was set to announce that the UK would stop giving direct aid to South Africa in 2015.

Gordhan said that after perusing Greening’s statement that she intended to base her press conference upon, he again pointed out that any reference to an agreement with the new strategy would be incorrect.

“She agreed to leave out the reference to such an agreement. At no stage did I agree with Britain's decision to cut aid as claimed by Ms Greening when she spoke at The Times CEO summit and at a subsequent media conference,” added Gordhan.

The UK government's aid programme to South Africa is currently worth £19-million a year and has focused on reducing the mortality rate among women giving birth, as well as supporting businesses.

South Africa has for years had a special relationship with the people of Britain.

“During the apartheid era, the people of Britain opened their hearts and their purses to assist in the anti-apartheid struggle. The manner in which the current British administration has chosen to end its financial aid to South Africa is therefore, regrettable.

“What further deepens our disappointment is that it would appear that the rushed announcements seem to be linked to this week's local government elections,” said Gordhan.

The minister has been in London since Monday and attended The Times CEO Summit on Tuesday, with reports of the cutting of aid having been published in The Times of London newspaper on 1 and 2 May.

“I spent the whole day at The Times CEO Summit on Tuesday. At no stage was I approached by The Times to comment on what the newspaper intended to publish.

“The fact that The Times chose to report twice on this matter without asking me for comment is unacceptable under any press code. I deny that I, at any time, agreed to the cutting of aid after 2015,” said Gordhan.

The minister was first informed of the British government's new aid strategy in talks in July 2012 by Andrew Mitchell, the then Secretary for International Development.

“Mr Mitchell demonstrated a sound understanding of South Africa's position and developmental challenges. Equally, I noted, but did not agree with Britain's new aid strategy. I indicated that we needed to debate South Africa's development challenges.”

The minister’s first conversation with Greening on the matter took place in March, where she repeated the British government's new stance on development aid to South Africa.

“She indicated that we can work together on projects in Africa, amongst other possibilities. I indicated that we need to debate her government's approach to development aid, whilst noting the new policy.

“We agreed that our officials would discuss the possibility of a joint statement at the WEF-Africa to be held in Cape Town next week.

“After I had accepted the invitation to speak at The Times CEO Africa Summit in London, Ms Greening's office requested a meeting and her officials discussed the possibility of a joint statement at the WEF-Africa conference. I agreed to the meeting, but National Treasury officials could not agree with Greening's office on any joint statement,” said Gordhan.