South Africa has publicly expressed its displeasure about reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s phone was placed on a list by Rwanda to be targeted by Israeli-manufactured Pegasus spyware. But privately, officials are baffled and somewhat less outspoken, as the revelations came at a time when the two countries have been trying to restore relations.
“I don’t know whether to believe it or not,” a senior government official working in foreign relations tells The Africa Report.
Rwanda’s foreign minister Vincent Biruta met with South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor in Pretoria a month ago to set out a road map to strengthen relations and to cooperate on regional and international matters.