Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has in his capacity as Special Envoy of President Jacob Zuma concluded a Working Visit to South Sudan.
Deputy President arrived in the capital Juba today, Monday 16 May 2016, and held discussions with President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar. He also met Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Alor Kuol.
The Working Visit by Deputy President Ramaphosa was part of efforts to consolidate unity within the ranks of the ruling Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) with a view to sustaining lasting peace and stability and laying the basis for post-conflict reconstruction and development for the benefit of the people of South Sudan.
Deputy President Ramaphosa has worked tirelessly, alongside the Secretary-General of Tanzania’s ruling party, Abdulrahman Kinana, for the restoration of unity of purpose within the ranks of the SPLM as a precursor to the creation of peace and stability in the country and the formation of the unity government in Juba.
Deputy President Ramaphosa held talks in South Sudan following a visit last week to Rwanda where he led Team South Africa to the 26th World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF Africa) to promote South Africa as open for business and a preferred destination for investment.
On Sunday, 15 May 2016, Deputy President Ramaphosa visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay his respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide.
During his visit to Juba, Deputy President Ramaphosa conveyed in person his condolences to members of the South African Police Service’s Presidential Protection Service, who lost a colleague, Warrant Officer Muzwandile Sithole, to a sudden illness in Juba on Friday, May 13 2016.
Warrant Officer Sithole was part of an advanced security detail which had been deployed to Juba to prepare for the working visit of Deputy President Ramaphosa to South Sudan on Monday.
The South African government is working in conjunction with the government of South Sudan to secure the repatriation of the mortal remains of Warrant Officer Sithole to South Africa tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 May 2016.
Government has arranged for members of the bereaved family to fly to Juba today, Monday 16 May 2016, to assist in the repatriation process.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
