The Star Newspaper today reported that South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, was aware of the travel arrangements of the 10 member ANC delegation that travelled to Zimbabwe in an SANDF jet, against military regulations.
The newspaper says Defense Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, is “extremely angry” after she was slapped with a 3 months salary fine by Ramaphosa over the issue.
More details have also emerged on the trip, including the fact that ZANU-PF refused to let Gwede Mantashe’s attendance.
The ANC delegation was also forced to leave Zimbabwe early, after only one day, as ZANU-PF denied them permission to meet the opposition and civic society.
The meeting was supposed to run from the 8th to the 10th of September.
The ministerial handbook on defense says the President should approve such trips 24 days before the date of travel, however, Ramaphosa only approved the trip verbally a day before the delegation left for Harare.
Opposition party, the DA, says they will be pushing for Ramaphosa to be held accountable as he is misleading the nation.
They claim that Ramaphosa’s written approval on the 10th of September was retrospective and he only did so after he was caught re-handed.
Please read the full story in today’s Star Newspaper – 5 October 2020
