WATCH | ‘I felt betrayed’: Mapisa‑Nqakula says Ramaphosa approved Zimbabwe trip

Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

Cape Town – Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has claimed that Cyril Ramaphosa personally authorised her controversial 2020 trip to Zimbabwe aboard a SANDF aircraft before later distancing himself from the fallout.

Speaking on the African Renaissance Podcast hosted by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Mapisa-Nqakula said the ANC delegation travelled to Zimbabwe during strict Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to engage with Zanu-PF amid unrest in the country.

She denied the trip was a “jolly ride” and said there were no commercial flights available at the time.

Mapisa-Nqakula claimed Ramaphosa asked her to join the delegation and helped secure landing clearance from Zimbabwean authorities, including intervention from Emmerson Mnangagwa.

She said she insisted the ANC delegation travel together on the SANDF aircraft rather than leaving members behind.

The trip later sparked controversy, leading to criticism that ANC officials had improperly used state resources. Mapisa-Nqakula was docked three months’ salary and later removed as defence minister in a Cabinet reshuffle.

She said she felt betrayed after Ramaphosa publicly demanded an explanation for the flight despite allegedly approving it beforehand. “I felt so used by my organisation,” she said.

Watch the full interview below:

Mapisa-Nqakula also revealed that the ANC later reimbursed the state about R140,000 for the flight costs after instructions from the Presidency.

She also alleged that the ANC used its parliamentary majority in December 2022 to block the Section 89 Phala Phala report and protect Cyril Ramaphosa from further impeachment scrutiny.

Mapisa-Nqakula claimed the move was carried out under instructions from ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.

The former Speaker said she was ashamed of how Parliament handled the process surrounding the Phala Phala scandal.

The Section 89 independent panel had found there was prima facie evidence suggesting Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution and his oath of office in relation to the 2020 burglary at his Phala Phala game farm.

Despite the findings, the ANC used its majority in the National Assembly in December 2022 to vote against adopting the report and halted the impeachment process.

Mapisa-Nqakula’s remarks come days after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully when it blocked the impeachment inquiry, ordering that the process be revived.

The ruling has placed renewed political pressure on Ramaphosa, who has denied any wrongdoing and vowed not to resign.

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