Sema Fonkem 15/07/2025

South Africa’s main opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) is standing by its claims that the US Embassy in South Africa denied President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Enjoy, Ncebisi Jonas a diplomatic visa.

Addressing the public through Newzroom Afrika, Democratic Alliance International Relations Spokesperson Emma Powell says that US did not only deny Ncebisi Jonas a visa but also rejected his request to be credentialled. According her, Washington had notified the government of South Africa on several occasions that Mr. Jonas will not be accepted by the US for negotiation procedures.

Even though South African presidency has condemned DA’s claim by calling it an act of disinformation, Powell confirms she was well informed and advised by top US administration officials in Washington. She has challenged government to bring proof forward to refute her claims.

Mr. Jonas was suppose to be part of president Ramaphosa’s White House delegation during the May 21 2025 Oval Office meeting with US president Donald Trump as one of four Independent Presidential Investment Envoys but has not been heard from ever since then.

DA wants proof that Mr. Jonas has been active and is having bilateral talks with the US government regarding Trump’s proposed 30% tariff to be imposed on South Africa amongst other issues. DA is making this demand because according them, president Ramaphosa claims that he is satisfied with progress made by Mr. Jonas. DA also wants president Ramaphosa to tell South Africans his reasons for appointing Mr. Jonas as a special enjoy and how that will be beneficial to South Africa.

Mr. Jonas is the former deputy finance minister of South Africa, a position he held from 2014 until 2016 and currently serves as Chairperson of the MTN Group.