Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, has criticised Britain's decision to stop direct aid to the country, saying that they have bypassed the proper diplomatic channels. The UK says it will withdraw more than a quarter of a billion rand in annual aid to South Africa from 2015. Britain says the decision to withdraw more than R250 000 in aid to South Africa in 2015 is based on the country's transformation and development over the past 20 years.