PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa‘s office is facing turmoil as the South African government struggles to manage the fallout from allegations that the country sold arms to Russia for their conflict with Ukraine.
The controversy has led to at least two key advisers leaving their positions, leaving the presidency with several vacant positions.
Trudy Makhaya, Ramaphosa’s trusted economic adviser, recently ended her five-year term in office, while the international adviser, Maropene Ramokgopa, left to serve as the African National Congress’ (ANC) second deputy secretary general.
Bejani Chauke, who served as political adviser to the president, also quit in February while Steyn Speed filled in as political adviser, he was based abroad due to family commitments.
Despite the vacancies, The Presidency denied that there was a crisis or that Ramaphosa’s advisers had jumped ship.
The director general in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, and chief of staff Roshene Singh were also reported to have no bad blood between them.
The controversy stems from allegations that South Africa sold arms to Russia during their conflict with Ukraine, which Ramaphosa previously announced an investigation into.
The scandal threatens to isolate South Africa from parts of the globe, and all eyes are on the president to manage the fallout.
In response to the controversy, The Presidency issued a statement to allay concerns about the situation, saying, “We want to assure all South Africans that the Presidency remains committed to ensuring that it is staffed with the best and most competent people who can help the President in executing his mandate to build a better South Africa for all.”
