President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently faced backlash after meeting with Zimbabwean dignitaries, but the Presidency said he was unaware that a man wanted in South Africa was among them.
The president undertook a working visit to Zimbabwe on Sunday, after being invited by Emmerson Mnangagwa. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the meeting focused on bilateral matters of interest.
However, among the people who greeted President Cyril Ramaphosa upon his arrival was Wicknell Chivayo.
According to reports, Chivayo is being investigated by the Hawks for alleged money laundering. His assets in South Africa have reportedly been frozen as a result.
HE President @CyrilRamaphosa earlier today, undertook a working visit to the Republic of Zimbabwe for an engagement with his Zimbabwean counterpart, HE President Emmerson Mnangangwa, to discuss issues of mutual and bilateral interests.
South Africa and Zimbabwe maintain a… pic.twitter.com/DZID0gEYpK
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) May 3, 2026
#UPDATE South Africa’s government says an unannounced trip to Zimbabwe by President Cyril Ramaphosa was a “working visit… to discuss issues of mutual and bilateral interests.” Ramaphosa flew in military chopper with Mnangagwa and two tender magnates – Wicknell Chivayo and… pic.twitter.com/pJhxmmL3bU
— ZimLive (@zimlive) May 3, 2026
In a statement on Wednesday, the Presidency noted that President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who would be part of the engagement and was not familiar with Chivayo.
Magwenya reiterated that the president went to meet with his counterpart in Zimbabwe “and nothing else”.
He added the visit included a visit to President Mnangagwa’s farm, “where they would engage in a relaxed environment and outside of the constraints of Presidential formality and protocol”. President Ramaphosa apparently wanted to learn more about how Mnangagwa was assisting local farmers.
Magwenya acknowledged concern and raised concern regarding the matters and said that President Ramaphosa has encouraged local law enforcement agencies to continue their investigation “with no fear or hesitation”.
