By Staff Reporter

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has to responded criticism of his visit to Zimbabwe where the South African leader hobnobbed with a controversial businessman described as “a person of interest to … law enforcement”.

Ramaphosa met Sunday with Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa in a curious visit that avoided usual State ceremony and circumstance in Harare.

Instead after Ramaphosa landed in Harare, the two leaders flew by helicopter to Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm in Kwekwe accompanied by controversial associates of the Zimbabwean leader.

These included Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Wicknell Chivhayo as well as Paul Tungwara. Both of Mnangagwa’s deputies were absent with only of couple of cabinet ministers present.

Commenting on opposition criticism of the visit Wednesday Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the Presidency had noted reports that “an individual who is a person of interest to our law enforcement who was also present during the visit”.

“President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who will be present during the visit nor is he familiar with the said individual. The President flew to Zimbabwe for a meeting with his counterpart and nothing else,” Magwenya said.

He added that the Ramaphosa supports ongoing investigations, urging law enforcement agencies to pursue the matter “with no fear or hesitation”.

This comes after the opposition in South Africa sharply criticised the visit, arguing that it took place in a politically sensitive environment in Zimbabwe and raised questions about South Africa’s foreign policy posture.

“This visit takes place as the ruling Zanu-PF attempts to entrench its dictatorship in Zimbabwean law through the recently gazetted Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, which would introduce far-reaching proposals to usher in extended and potentially limitless presidential terms.”

However, briefing the media in Cape Town, Magwenya said the Ramaphosa travelled to Zimbabwe at the invitation of his counterpart for discussions on bilateral relations and regional matters.

He said the visit underscored the deeply historical relationship between the two countries, rooted in their shared struggles against colonialism and apartheid, as well as strong trade ties.

In 2025, South African exports to Zimbabwe reached approximately US$4.3 billion, largely driven by agricultural products and machinery.