Ramaphosa disowns 'shady' Chivayo

Cyril Ramaphosa's recent visit to Zimbabwe has reignited scrutiny over President Emmerson Mnangagwa's close business associates after several controversial businessmen attended a high-level meeting held at Mnangagwa's Precabe Farm in Kwekwe.

Ramaphosa met Mnangagwa on Sunday during what the South African presidency described as discussions on bilateral relations and regional matters. However, attention quickly shifted to the presence of businessman Wicknell Chivayo alongside businessmen Paul Tungwarara and Kudakwashe Tagwirei.

The controversy intensified after Chivayo shared photographs of the meeting on social media and publicly praised Ramaphosa online, prompting criticism over his apparent proximity to both heads of state.

Observers also noted the absence of senior government officials from the gathering, including Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, as well as cabinet ministers.

The developments have since triggered wider political and diplomatic debate.

War veteran Knox Chivero reportedly wrote to Ramaphosa warning that Chivayo's alleged criminal links could damage the South African president's reputation.

According to Chivero, Chivayo is under investigation by South Africa's Financial Intelligence Centre over allegations linked to a reported R1.1 billion fraud matter, while South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, is also reportedly examining suspicious financial flows connected to him.

Investigations cited by South African authorities reportedly involve payments made by Zimbabwe's Treasury to South African company Ren-Form CC for election materials, with more than R800 million allegedly transferred to accounts linked to Chivayo-associated entities.

Chivayo's younger brother, Joachim, is also reportedly wanted in South Africa in connection with an alleged gold smuggling case, while reports indicate that South African courts recently froze bank accounts and assets linked to Wicknell Chivayo.

The South African presidency later acknowledged reports involving a "person of interest" to law enforcement who had been present during the Zimbabwe visit, although it did not mention Chivayo by name.

Vice-President Chiwenga has previously criticised politically connected businessmen, referring to them as "zvigananda", a Shona term commonly used to describe individuals accused of accumulating wealth through questionable means. He has also warned ZANU PF against accepting financial support from such figures and urged wealthy businessmen to invest in productive sectors rather than displaying wealth extravagantly.

Political analysts say the controversy highlights the growing sensitivity around the intersection of business, politics and diplomacy in the region.

Australia-based political analyst Reason Wafawarova said the incident underscored the risks associated with private individuals occupying spaces traditionally reserved for official state actors.

"It creates ambiguity around representation, authority and the integrity of diplomatic engagements," he said.

Political analyst Vivid Gwede described the episode as a "significant indictment" of the company Ramaphosa found himself associated with during the visit, adding that continued clarifications from the South African presidency "do not augur well for diplomatic trust."

Commentator Ruben Mbofana said the circulation of images from the meeting may have caused embarrassment for the South African presidency.

"I think Ramaphosa realised later that this is an embarrassment to his own country after meeting shady characters," Mbofana said.

Zimbabwean authorities had not publicly responded to the South African presidency's remarks at the time of publication.