DA slams Ramaphosa's Zimbabwe visit

South Africa's opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has strongly criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa over his recent visit to Emmerson Mnangagwa's private farm in Zimbabwe, describing it as tacit support for alleged efforts to entrench one-party rule.

In a statement, DA International Relations spokesperson Ryan Smith said the meeting reflects what he called the African National Congress (ANC)'s foreign policy bias toward "the African fraternity of despots and dictators," at the expense of democracy and human rights.

The visit coincided with debate around Zimbabwe's proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which seeks to extend presidential terms, shift the election of the president to Parliament, and introduce other changes critics argue could allow Mnangagwa to prolong his rule.

Smith also criticised what he described as the ANC's silence following the arrest of opposition figures, including Tendai Biti, who had been campaigning against the proposed constitutional changes.

He further questioned the presence of businessmen Wicknell Chivayo and Kudakwashe Tagwirei at the meeting, alleging their involvement reflects concerns about the intersection of political power and business interests.

The DA linked the visit to broader regional implications, arguing that political developments in Zimbabwe contribute to migration pressures in South Africa, placing strain on public services.

In response, the South African Presidency described the engagement as a routine "in-person catch-up between neighbours," downplaying political significance.

As a partner in South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU), the DA said it rejects what it termed "diplomatic hypocrisy," warning that tolerance of authoritarian tendencies in the region could undermine stability within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).