Diplomatic Dispute Brews as DA Alleges US Denied Visa to Ramaphosa’s Envoy Amid Rising Trade Tensions
A diplomatic storm is brewing between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the presidency after explosive claims surfaced that the United States rejected President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa’s special envoy to Washington, DC.
The DA alleges that Jonas, appointed earlier this year after the dramatic expulsion of former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, was flatly denied a diplomatic visa and has been unofficially persona non grata in the US capital since May 2025.
Why Was Mcebisi Jonas Appointed?
Mcebisi Jonas, a former deputy finance minister and respected political figure, was appointed by President Ramaphosa in a bid to mend relations with the United States following the fallout from Rasool’s controversial departure. Rasool was expelled after a fiery speech in which he accused then-US President Donald Trump of fostering white supremacy and sabotaging diplomatic norms.
Jonas’s role was seen as critical in navigating tensions and re-establishing trust, particularly with new US leadership. However, shortly after his appointment, a resurfaced video from five years ago went viral, in which Jonas harshly criticised Trump, branding him a “racist homophobe.”
DA’s Explosive Allegations
According to the DA, the US outright rejected Jonas’s diplomatic visa application and refused to recognise his credentials as South Africa’s special envoy. The party claims that President Ramaphosa was informed of this rejection as far back as May but chose to keep the matter under wraps, continuing to refer to Jonas as the acting envoy despite his absence from key diplomatic events.
The DA labelled this move as “misleading” and accused the Presidency of intentionally concealing the issue from the public. “Ramaphosa has known for months that Jonas has not been welcome in Washington,” the DA stated. “He was advised repeatedly to appoint someone else but chose to do nothing.”
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A Noticeable Absence
The most glaring red flag came during Ramaphosa’s high-level engagement with US officials in May, where Jonas was notably missing from the presidential delegation. A statement released at the time claimed his visa was valid and that he had contributed to preparatory engagements but had opted not to attend in person.
The DA, however, remains unconvinced and has since filed a Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) request demanding records of Jonas’s official engagements over the past 90 days. The Presidency pushed back, accusing the DA of overstepping constitutional boundaries.
Government Fires Back
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) strongly denied the DA’s claims, clarifying that special envoys are not traditional diplomats and therefore do not require accreditation or formal credentials to engage internationally.
DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri blasted the DA for pushing “negative sentiment” and misunderstanding the role of special envoys. “The DA’s insistence on non-accreditation is a red herring,” Phiri said, explaining that such appointments do not follow the conventional diplomatic route.
The Presidency echoed these sentiments, with spokesperson Vincent Magwenya insisting that Jonas’s contributions had been significant and that his absence was “at his own request” and unrelated to any diplomatic fallout.
Rising Trade Stakes: Tariffs Loom Large
The DA’s concern is rooted not only in diplomatic embarrassment but also in looming economic threats. The US has proposed a 30% tariff on certain South African exports—a move that could devastate key industries and cost the economy billions of rands.
The DA warns that without a trusted and active envoy in Washington advocating for South Africa’s interests, these tariffs could go into effect unchallenged. It accuses the Ramaphosa administration of putting the country’s economy at risk due to mismanagement and lack of transparency.
Final Word
While government officials insist that Jonas’s status as a special envoy is valid and that diplomatic relations remain intact, the DA’s claims—if proven true—could indicate a serious breach of protocol and accountability. As pressure mounts, both domestically and internationally, South Africans are left wondering whether this controversy is just a political spat or a deeper crack in international diplomacy.
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