Ramaphosa Visited Zimbabwe At Mnangagwa’s Invitation, Says Spokesperson

President Cyril Ramaphosa travelled to Zimbabwe at the invitation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the weekend, his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has said.

Briefing the media in South Africa, Magwenya said President Ramaphosa was concerned and had been unaware that one of the Zimbabwean delegates was a person of interest to South African authorities.

“Both presidents agreed to retreat to President Mnangagwa’s farm where they would engage in a relaxed environment and outside of the constraints of presidential formality protocol,” said Magwenya.

“Over and above the planned meeting, the president was interested in learning how President Mnangagwa is assisting local farmers in the area that neighbours his farm.”

Although Magwenya did not name the individual present during some of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s engagements with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is of interest to South African law enforcement, businessman Wicknell Chivayo was in attendance.

South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks/DPCI) confirmed in January 2026 that investigations “linked to Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo are still ongoing”.

The probe centres on suspicious-transaction reports lodged with South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre, relating to more than R800 million allegedly moved through South African banks from a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender.

“As the presidency, we’ve noted with concern the reports that have since surfaced following this visit by the President to Zimbabwe, identifying an individual who is a person of interest to our law enforcement who was also present during the visit,” said Magwenya.

“President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who would 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.

“The president will further encourage our law enforcement agencies to continue with pursuing the matters that are under investigation involving these individuals or individuals and to do so with no fear or any form of hesitation.”

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