The event was set to take place on Thursday evening and would feature dialogue on women abuse.  

But civil society groups Wise4Afrika and Soul City Institute said this week that if Ramaphosa was serious about South Africa's gender-based violence crisis, he would not participate in the event, given that Power FM boss Given Makhari was last year accused of assaulting his wife. 

Makhari and his wife Ipeleng were both arrested after laying criminal complaints against one another. They eventually ended up saying they would settle the matter privately. 

"In the light of concerns raised by civil society organisations, Wise4Afrika and the Soul City Institute regarding the scheduled event, the president has upon careful consideration decided not to participate," said Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Khusela Diko.

"President Ramaphosa firmly believes that he, like every other South African, has a responsibility to do everything within his means to confront gender-based violence, and to do nothing that undermines the effectiveness of the national effort."

Diko said it was critical not to undermine the fight against GBV at a time when the country was observing the annual "16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children" campaign.

"The presidency notes that Mr and Mrs Mkhari met with representatives of certain civil society organisations and senior officials in the presidency today but unfortunately the resolution reached by the parties was too late to ensure his participation.

"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," said Diko.  

African News Agency