How Did Opposition Parties React to Ramaphosa’s US Visit?

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the United States (US) has been faced with mixed reactions from some of the opposition parties in South Africa. This follows Ramaphosa’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House, Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 21.

The Umkhonto Wesizwe Party’s (MKP) spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela had denounced the meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump, referring to Ramaphosa as a “fugitive from justice” regarding the Phala Phala saga. Ndhlela says the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) was supposed to hold Ramaphosa accountable for the $580,000 which was stolen from his farm, Phala Phala, in 2020.

The party had called for the Trump administration to investigate the Phala Phala saga.He also says Ramaphosa’s trip to the US was deliberate to avoid key political issues in South Africa. Amongst other things, Ndlela was referring to the Phala Phala case, which was expected to resume on Monday, May 19. Floriana Ndilinasho, David Josephin, and Imanuwela David, who are accused of the robbery that took place at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm, were expected to appear before the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.

Meanwhile, EFF president Julius Malema took to social media, X, to respond to the meeting between Trump and Ramaphosa. He says the meeting was a gossip about his name. This follows the video which was played by Trump which depicts Malema chanting “kill the Boer, the farmer” in an EFF rally as evidence of what Trump claims to be a white genocide in South Africa. He further says that their position on land expropriation without compensation is non-negotiable, and they will not compromise it for political advantage.

Nonetheless, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula says Ramaphosa should be applauded for his visit to the US. He says the objective of Ramaphosa’s visit was to defend the country from the assumption of white genocide and trade relations between South Africa and the United States. Mbalula further says Ramaphosa is negotiating with Trump for the country as opposed to his personal gains.