Ramaphosa “Didn’t Know” Suspect Wanted By Hawks Would Attend Mnangagwa Farm Meeting
South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says President Cyril Ramaphosa went to Zimbabwe at the invitation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and had no idea who else would be at the meeting.
Ramaphosa has come under fire after the gathering, which included Wicknell Chivayo. Chivayo is a person of interest to South African law enforcement.
He explained that the president was invited by his Zimbabwean counterpart and did not know who else would attend. Even once he was there, he did not know who Chivayo was.
The Financial Intelligence Centre, which monitors the movement of criminal funds, has flagged payments between a Chivayo-linked company and a South African printing firm.
Magwenya said South African law enforcement should press ahead with any investigations without fear or hesitation.
“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, was also present during the visit,” said Magwenya.
“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.
“The president will further encourage our law enforcement agencies to continue pursuing the matters that are under investigation involving these individuals or individuals and to do so with no fear or any form of hesitation.”
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.
