A group of protesters from #Standup South Africa and Enough is Enough braved the cold and rainy weather on Monday, marching to the Union Buildings, where they demanded President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.

The demonstrators voiced their discontent with the current administration, highlighting systemic corruption, sluggish economic growth, and persistent inequality as key reasons for Ramaphosa to go.

Khustaz Mtwetwe, leader of #Standup South Africa, lamented that since 2018, Ramaphosa’s administration has failed to deliver any positive outcomes for South Africa. 

Instead, Mtwetwe claimed that the administration has brought misery, rampant corruption, and a severe deterioration in governance.

He painted a dire picture of South Africa’s state of affairs, saying that the country is on the verge of collapse. 

He attributed this to the failure of leaders to deliver on their promises, citing rampant poverty, soaring unemployment, and rampant corruption that disproportionately affect the poor and jeopardise the nation’s future.

“The President, Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, is presiding over a nation that is going to ruin, and each time he speaks to us, he is either shocked or asking himself questions instead of providing direction for the country,” he said.

A memorandum detailing the protesters’ grievances was submitted to the Presidency, criticising the current administration for a lack of accountability and transparency.

It highlighted the plight of South Africans, particularly the youth, stating: “Unemployment steals the future of South Africans, especially young people who loiter around doing nothing. The cost of living is expensive for the working and middle class, how much more for the poor?”

The protesters called on the Presidency to remove State Security from its current structure and ensure its independence, free from political and personal interference.

“This department is meant to protect South Africans from domestic and foreign threats. It is not for his personal and associates’ protection,” they said in a memorandum.

Natasha Mkhabela, leader of Enough is Enough, expressed frustration, stating: “We are not being taken seriously as citizens. They have been promising to address GBV and youth unemployment since 2018, but nothing has materialised. We have seen no progress, and it is unacceptable.”

Mtetwe attributed the low turnout to the bad weather, but emphasised that the march was just the beginning of widespread protests against Ramaphosa. 

“Our turnout will have an impact simply because all we want is to conscientise the nation as the starting block. But the second layer would then be to conscientise other sectors of the country to hold him accountable,” he said.

He criticised Ramaphosa, accusing him of indecisive leadership, citing the example where he agreed to disband the contentious Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), after being persuaded by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Last week, during a Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee session, Mchunu revealed that he had briefed Ramaphosa on his decision to disband the PKTT.

Sibusiso Mabuza, an official from the Presidency, received the memorandum and assured the protesters that he would forward it to his superiors, who are expected to respond to the issues raised within seven working days.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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