Not A Given: Ramaphosa Withdraws From Power FM’s The Chairman’s Conversation Programme

Riyaz Patel

President Cyril Ramaphosa has decided to withdraw from The Chairman’s Conversation hosted by Gauteng-based radio station Power FM following concerns over assault allegations previously faced by the station’s boss and MSG Afrika chairperson, Given Mkhari.

Just a few hours before Thursday’s scheduled event, the Presidency said in a statement that “upon careful consideration,” Ramaphosa would heed the call by The Wise Collective and the Soul City Institute not to participate in the event.

“The Presidency emphasises that the non-participation of President Ramaphosa should not be read as an endorsement of the untested allegations raised by the civil society organisations but a carefully weighed up decision taken in the public interest,” the statement added.

In July, last year, Mkhari and his wife Ipeleng were both arrested after they individually laid criminal complaints of assault against each other over an alleged fight they had in their home.

The couple subsequently withdrew their complaints and chose to resolve the matter