Trevor Ncube criticises Ramaphosa

Trevor Ncube has written an open letter to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, criticising his recent private visit to Zimbabwe where he met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at a farm in Kwekwe, arguing that the engagement risks being interpreted as political endorsement amid Zimbabwe's ongoing constitutional and governance debates.

In the letter, Ncube expresses concern over the timing of the visit, saying it coincided with heightened political tensions linked to constitutional reform discussions in Zimbabwe. He argues that the presence of senior business figures at the meeting has fuelled perceptions of close ties between political and economic elites, which he says is damaging in the current context.

He further claims that Zimbabwe is facing a period of constitutional strain, referencing debates around proposed amendments and alleging that the process is weakening democratic safeguards. Ncube also criticises what he describes as the lack of broader engagement with civil society, opposition actors and other stakeholders during Ramaphosa's visit.

The letter draws comparisons with past South African diplomatic approaches to Zimbabwe, suggesting that historical “quiet diplomacy” has contributed to long-standing governance and economic challenges in the country. It also links Zimbabwe's political and economic situation to migration pressures affecting South Africa.

The correspondence has added to ongoing regional discussions about South Africa's diplomatic posture toward Zimbabwe, particularly as both countries continue to navigate complex political and economic relations within the Southern African region.