Presidency clarifies Mcebisi Jonas’ absence from Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump

The Presidency has clarified US special Mcebisi Jonas’ noticeable absence from the much-anticipated meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House in Washington, DC.

Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, was not part of Ramaphosa’s delegation to meet Trump at the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Delegation

Ramaphosa’s delegation included four ministers, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa says Trump meeting a success despite ambush [VIDEO]

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) vice president Adrian Gore and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Zingiswa Losi were also in Washington, DC, to support Ramaphosa and the South African delegation for the meeting with Trump.

The Presidency has now dismissed speculation around Jonas’ status.

Clarification

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Thursday said Ramaphosa’s office acknowledged the “recent commentary” regarding Jonas and deemed it prudent to provide clarity.

“Initial interpretations of procedural matters, communicated in good faith, have been amended following confirmation that Mr Jonas holds a valid visa for travel to the United States of America”.

Magwenya said no “formal concerns or substantive inquiries” related to Jonas’ professional responsibilities have been brought to the attention of the Presidency.   

“Mr. Jonas contributed to preparatory engagements ahead of the meeting between President Ramaphosa and President Donald Trump, including consultations abroad. His absence from Washington, at his own request, has no bearing on the President’s official programme.”

Jonas appointment

Ramaphosa appointed Jonas in April as tensions between the United States and South Africa continued to simmer.

His appointment as special envoy followed the expulsion of the former South African ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool.

Rasool returned to South Africa in March after the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, expelled him and stripped him of his diplomatic privileges.

He was declared persona non grata and given just a week to leave the US due to comments he made about the country and the Donald Trump administration during a webinar.

Ramaphosa said Jonas would serve as the official representative of the Presidency and government.

ALSO READ: ‘There is doubt in Trump’s head about genocide in SA,’ Ramaphosa says [VIDEO]