Zimbabwe trip by Ramaphosa draws fierce criticism from DA

Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has strongly criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent visit to Zimbabwe, accusing him of legitimising President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government amid concerns over democratic backsliding in the country.

DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith said the visit to Mnangagwa’s private residence on Sunday amounted to tacit support for what he described as efforts by ZANU-PF to “entrench its dictatorship” through proposed constitutional amendments.

“This visit takes place as the ruling ZANU-PF attempts to entrench its dictatorship in Zimbabwean law through the recently gazetted Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3,” Smith said, arguing that the proposals could allow for extended or indefinite presidential terms.

Smith also criticised what he called South Africa’s silence over the arrest of Zimbabwean opposition leader Tendai Biti earlier this year.

“It is deeply telling that both President Ramaphosa and [International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola] remained deafeningly silent when President Mnangagwa and his regime arrested and detained Zimbabwean opposition leader, Tendai Biti,” he said.

The DA further questioned the presence of Zimbabwean businessmen Wicknell Chivhayo and Kudakwashe Tagwirei during the engagement, alleging links to corruption.

“What was the point of the R1 billion Zondo Commission if President Ramaphosa himself has learned nothing from the outcome?” Smith said.

HE President @CyrilRamaphosa earlier today, undertook a working visit to the Republic of Zimbabwe for an engagement with his Zimbabwean counterpart, HE President Emmerson Mnangangwa, to discuss issues of mutual and bilateral interests.

South Africa and Zimbabwe maintain a… pic.twitter.com/DZID0gEYpK

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) May 3, 2026

The party also argued that Zimbabwe’s political instability has contributed to migration pressures in South Africa, saying government inaction has worsened social and economic strain.

“Zimbabwe’s democratic backslide is the sole reason for the immigration crisis South Africa has been subjected to since the late 90s,” Smith said.

The DA, which is part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), said it rejects what it views as the ANC’s failure to confront human rights abuses in the region.

“As a member of the Government of National Unity, the DA rejects the ANC’s attempts to openly fraternise with neighbouring dictators and deny the lived reality of millions of persecuted Zimbabweans,” Smith said.

He added that South Africa’s approach to foreign policy reflects “cognitive dissonance” between its regional responsibilities and political interests, warning that this undermines stability in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).