The South African presidency has expressed serious "concern" following reports that a "person of interest" to South African law enforcement was present during a working visit at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s private farm last Sunday.
While the meeting was intended to focus on bilateral interests between the two neighboring nations, the inclusion of controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has sparked a minor diplomatic firestorm.
Chivayo is currently under investigation by South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks, for alleged money laundering and has had his assets in South Africa frozen.
Addressing the media during a parliamentary briefing on Wednesday, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, moved to distance the president from the embattled businessman.
“President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who would be present during the visit, nor is he familiar with the said individual,” Magwenya said.
The presidency noted that it only became aware of the individual’s identity and legal status through media reports surfacing after the visit.
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