President Cyril Ramaphosa faced criticism after his response to the violent looting and unrest in South Africa. In particular, DA leader John Steenhuisen said that he hoped the president’s speech would have brought more comfort.
“I don’t think that speech is any comfort to those in KZN living in fear of their lives, livelihoods and properties.
“It is a tough situation and I really wanted to get behind the president but he seems wholly disconnected with what is happening on the ground,” he said.
“I imagine that the number of bodies could get higher overnight as the volatile situation heightens.
“We need leadership and we need the best of all South Africans to come together,” Steenhuisen added.
On the other hand, Political analyst Ongama Mtimka maintained that Ramaphosa was addressing issues in uncertain times that demanded swift action, as IOL reports.
“But there is no denying that there are long-term issues that people are protesting about that can’t be addressed in a day.
“I was expecting a response from government that matches the crisis on the ground, and the deployment of the army is that,” Mtimka said.
Meanwhile, Twitter boomed with South Africans who have echoed Steenhuisen’s sentiments. Here’s what they had to say:
President Ramaphosa called a family meeting just to summarise what we’ve been watching on the news today?
How it started and how it’s going!
Was that it?#ShutdownSA | #JuliusMalema | Level 5 pic.twitter.com/vP54rP8UVq
— Sis Dimpho (@DimphoMoleko) July 12, 2021
Does President Ramaphosa not realize that people have nothing to lose because they’ve already lost it all #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/DH2EzCYigR
— ♓VaalRise Mac-D♓(016) ?? (@MacDinobravo) July 12, 2021
You don’t have plan neh? @CyrilRamaphosa ?
— Nkanyezi (@NkanyeziKubheka) July 12, 2021
I cant believe Ramaphosa says the looting and violence is the reason vaccines are moving slow.
— Nkanyezi (@NkanyeziKubheka) July 12, 2021
Ramaphosa appears like someone who has lost control, most certainly not like someone who is taking charge.
— Ernst Roets (@ErnstRoets) July 12, 2021
No plan. No action. Nothing new from Ramaphosa that we didn’t know after early today. How many troops are being deployed? Where and when? We need these answers! Get out of your Cape Town mansion and get on the ground in KZN to see how bad this crisis is!
— Dean Macpherson (@DeanMacpherson) July 12, 2021
Guys lets be Honest President Ramaphosa said Nothing tonight??..Absolutely Nothing!!!! #JuliusMalema #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/DcgRupqjFV
— TSHEGO ABUTI T-MAN (@RALETMaN) July 12, 2021
Ramaphosa basically read us the NEWS bulletin at 20:30 and that’s about it. #ShutdownSA https://t.co/eYSZO9N4bk
— ??Fani Ngongoma (@Farni_) July 13, 2021
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech lacked empathy, authority and solutions. For a moment it felt like I was watching a robot reading out what it was programmed to say.
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) July 12, 2021
President Ramaphosa, tonight’s speech did not make me feel any safer.
— Christo ?????? (@ChristoThurston) July 12, 2021
Picture: Supplied