Uncertainty over Ramaphosa's mission to US

THE ANC has thrown its full support behind President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of his expected meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington where he will attempt to persuade Trump that there is no Afrikaner genocide or persecution in South Africa.

- MASHUDU SADIKE

The expected visit comes despite experts raising concerns that the meeting could be a fruitless exercise as the Trump administration is aware that there is no genocide or political violence against Afrikaners.

Ramaphosa will travel to meet Trump in the wake of a recent chartered flight that transported 59 Afrikaners to the US on Sunday night.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said Ramaphosa had the full backing of the party, saying that the meeting was a necessary step towards mending relations with the US.

"The ANC supports the president of South Africa meeting with the president of the US. It would be the first time since the inauguration... they have been receiving reports and they have been talking on the phone...so we have confidence that the meeting is necessary," Mbalula said.

Mbalula raised concerns that Trump had the wrong idea about South Africa, saying that the untruths must be dispelled.