Cape Town – Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya addressed the media on Tuesday, responding to the criticism that President Cyril Ramaphosa received from former presidents.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for being an “absent leader” who is “too busy with his personal businesses to move the country forward”.
South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, who himself faces graft charges, on Saturday accused his successor Cyril Ramaphosa of treason just two months before a crunch ANC conference where the latter is expected to seek re-election as party head.
“Your president is corrupt. Your president has committed treason,” Zuma told a news conference in Johannesburg – his first since he ended his 15-month jail term earlier this month for contempt of court.
[WATCH] “Your president has committed treason, but you are all silent…No president should conduct private business while in office; it’s not allowed…Your president is corrupt,” says former president #JacobZuma.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/DvacYS0UWc
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 22, 2022
Magwenya emphasised that when people criticise the President’s performance they must do so based on “facts and not rumor-mongering and other misinformed perceptions.”
Magwenya has emphasised that when people criticise the President’s performance they must do so based on “facts and not rumor mongering and other misinformed perceptions.” pic.twitter.com/WyDKRcQqMj
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 25, 2022
The Phala Phala farm matter was also addressed in the press conference.
Responding the media on the #PhalaPhalaFarm matter, Magwenya says the President does not earn a salary from these entities, revenues earned from the trading of games & livestock cover salaries of workers and the rest is reinvested. (Does not give rise to a conflict of interest) pic.twitter.com/tZM5tuiDet
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 25, 2022
According to SAnews.gov.co.za, Mawenya gave a summary of the sixth administration achievements, saying that President Ramaphosa ascended into the Presidency to inherit a State crippled through corruption, State capture and a stagnant economy.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the challenges of unemployment and poverty.
“Notwithstanding these mounting difficulties, the President embarked on a bold investment, growth and employment drive. This administration has raised R1.14 trillion in new investment commitments through four SA Investment Conferences.
“This is over 90% of the R1.2 trillion target for government’s ambitious investment drive. Of these commitments around R330 billion has already flowed into the economy,” Magwenya said.
The report by SAnews.gov highlighted the other achievements of Ramaphosa.
“Among many achievements, the sixth administration has established the Youth Employment Service (YES), together with private sector partners, which has to date created over 86 500 work experiences for young people.
“In tackling poverty and building human capital, the sixth administration introduced the National Minimum Wage for the first time in South Africa’s history, guaranteeing a minimum floor below which no worker may be paid.
“The administration further expanded social grants for people most affected by COVID-19, including the Special SRD Grant, which reached around 11 million unemployed people,” the report said.
Watch the media briefing here:
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Picture: Twitter/ @PresidencyZA
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
