African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula has sharply criticized the ruling African National Congress (ANC) following their call for the public to reject the proposed national shutdown aimed at removing President Cyril Ramaphosa from office. Zungula’s comments come amidst rising public dissatisfaction with Ramaphosa’s leadership, particularly after the controversial announcement of South Africa’s new visa policy with Nigeria. Under the new policy, Nigerian citizens can apply for visas to South Africa by submitting only a copy of their passport, with the original document being required at a later stage. This announcement has sparked anger among many South Africans, who believe it could lead to increased immigration, further straining local resources.
In response, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula vehemently opposed the idea of a national shutdown, branding it as an attempt to create chaos and instability. Mbalula emphasized that Ramaphosa, as a product of the democratic process, was leading the ANC and the country in line with the party’s values and principles. He further argued that any attack on the president was, by extension, an attack on the entire nation and the democratic structures in place. Despite Mbalula’s defiance, Zungula has continued to voice his frustrations, particularly regarding the ANC’s stance on public protests and demonstrations.
Zungula took to social media to express his displeasure, accusing the government of stifling the rights of black South Africans to protest. He argued that while other groups appear free to express their discontent, black South Africans are being denied the same freedoms under Ramaphosa’s administration. Zungula pointed to the government’s continued protection of illegal foreign nationals, a stance that he claims directly undermines the rights of local citizens. He further criticized the government’s handling of issues that directly affect South Africans, suggesting that the national shutdown was, in part, a response to these systemic failures.
The growing calls for a nationwide shutdown are being fueled by widespread anger over several issues, chief among them the deaths of 22 children who consumed tainted products from local spaza shops. The spaza shop-related fatalities have sparked nationwide outrage, with many citizens blaming the government’s failure to regulate the industry effectively. The incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the informal retail sector, with parents demanding accountability from both the spaza shop owners and the government. This tragedy, combined with Ramaphosa’s handling of the visa policy, has galvanized public sentiment against the president’s leadership.
In an attempt to address the spaza shop crisis, Ramaphosa issued a directive mandating that all spaza shop owners must register their businesses, a move he believes will help improve the regulation and safety standards within the industry. However, critics argue that this measure is too little, too late, and that it does not adequately address the root causes of the crisis. Many feel that the government’s response has been more about damage control than genuine reform, which has further eroded public trust in Ramaphosa’s administration.
As the debate intensifies, Zungula’s words reflect a growing disillusionment among certain segments of the South African population. While the ANC continues to defend Ramaphosa’s leadership, figures like Zungula are using the national shutdown to call attention to what they perceive as a government that is out of touch with the needs and frustrations of ordinary South Africans. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the ANC will address the mounting calls for change, and whether Zungula’s criticisms will gain further traction among the public.
