Ramaphosa Undertakes ‘Working Visit’ to Zimbabwe

Mired by controversy, the visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Zimbabwe has come under scrutiny. Presidential spokesperson Vinent Magwenya clarified that Ramaphosa undertook a ‘working visit’ to Zimbabwe at the invitation of his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday 3 May 2026.

Magwenya underscored that South Africa and Zimbabwe entertain deep historical ties, reaffirmed during their shared struggles against colonialism and apartheid. On the economic front, bilateral trade volume reached USD 4.3 billion in 2025, driven largely by agricultural produce and machinery.

There is also a substantial number of Zimbabweans working in South Africa. However, South Africans have initiated protests against foreign workers. The two neighboring countries thus discuss the issue with a view to finding a solution.

Breaking from protocol, the meeting actually took place at Mnangagwa’s farm, rather than at the State House in Harare. The presence of Wicknell Chivayo was seen around the delegation also sparked wild speculations, since he is currently under investigation in South Africa for money laundering. However, Magwenya insisted that President Ramaphosa neither knew about the presence of Chivayo, nor is he acquainted with the said individual.