South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he was unaware that a person wanted by law enforcement was present during his surprise working visit to Zimbabwe, as the Presidency works to contain growing political fallout over reports linking the meeting to controversial businessmen under investigation.
The clarification follows Ramaphosa’s unannounced trip to Zimbabwean town of Kwekwe on 3 May where he met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Precabe farm to discuss bilateral and regional matters.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told journalists in Cape Town on Wednesday that Ramaphosa travelled to Zimbabwe strictly for a leader‑to‑leader engagement and had no knowledge of who else would be present.
“President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who will be present during the visit nor was he familiar with the said individual. The President flew to Zimbabwe for a meeting with his counterpart and nothing else,” Magwenya said.
He said the Presidency had “noted with concern” reports that an individual of interest to South African law enforcement was among those who attended the informal discussions.
The visit, which the Presidency described as a working engagement, has drawn scrutiny after images circulated showing Ramaphosa and Mnangagwa in the company of Zimbabwean businessmen including Wicknell Chivayo, whose assets in South Africa have been frozen and who is under investigation by the police for alleged money laundering.
Also present were Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Paul Tungwarara, both influential figures in Zimbabwe’s political and business circles.
Magwenya said Ramaphosa fully supports ongoing investigations and expects law enforcement to act “with no fear or hesitation.”
Ramaphosa’s brief stop in Zimbabwe has raised questions not only because of the presence of individuals under investigation, but also due to the absence of Mnangagwa’s two vice presidents, Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga, despite the Presidency’s statement framing the trip as a formal working visit.
The meeting was held away from official venues, adding to speculation about its purpose and the circumstances surrounding it.
Ramaphosa’s office has emphasised that the visit was part of ongoing efforts to manage regional cooperation and shared challenges.
JN/APA