Some political parties in parliament say President Cyril Ramaphosa has reacted too late to the looting and violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
In an address to the nation, Ramaphosa has condemned the looting as criminal, adding that it would be met with the full might of the law.
He also confirmed that the SANDF will be deployed to assist law enforcement agencies.
President Ramaphosa addresses the nation on outbreaks of violence:
Freedom Front Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald, and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) chief whip, Narend Singh, say its too little too late from Ramaphosa.
STATEMENT | “The IFP has taken note of the statements made by @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa this evening, as he sought to address the widespread anarchy that has brought towns and businesses in #KZNViolence and #GautengShutdown to their knees.”-@vf_hlabisa #PrayForSA pic.twitter.com/iYHyhpO7IT
— Inkatha Freedom Party (@IFPinParliament) July 12, 2021
The leader of the Al Jammah party, Ganief Hendricks, says one way to end the violence and looting in parts of the country is to pardon former president Jacob Zuma.
Hendricks says his party is ready to assist President Cyril Ramaphosa to resolve the conflict, “Al Jammah is ready to meet with president Ramaphosa as we feel we have solutions to feuding factions in ANC, that is responsible for the mayhem and unrest. We anticipated this, and informed minister of Justice to prepare submition to president to use his prerogative to pardon president Zuma.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen, says Ramaphosa did not provide sufficient information on how violence and looting in parts of the country will be stopped.
Steenhuisen says, “Very disappointing, nothing of significance in his address. It’s measures to curb looting and violence that was continuing even as the President spoke. No new detail on SANDF deployment, the numbers and where they will be deployed also no info from crime intel reports. Its clear government has no plan and that citizens particularly in KZN will have to face the mobs of rioters and looters entirely on their own.”
The DA notes President Ramaphosa’s announcement tonight on the escalating crisis in KZN, Gauteng and other parts of SA.
However, very little in his address offered anything new or significant in terms of measures to curb the violence. – @jsteenhuisenhttps://t.co/0fMzrkU47r
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) July 12, 2021
The leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Kenneth Meshoe, says Ramaphosa was too scant on detail of exactly how law will be restored in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal after violence and looting hit parts of the two provinces.
Meshoe says he would’ve liked more detail on the matters of law enforcement, “I would’ve liked to hear what specific steps to bring violence to end. Its easy to say we must work together to restore peace and rule of law. We support it, but he didn’t give detail on how gov which is ultimately responsible for maintaining law and order in our communities, is going to do.”
Political parties react to President Ramaphosa’s response to persistent public violence:
