Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a radio host, has brought the battle against illegal immigration right to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ngobese-Zuma was blunt in her public call for Ramaphosa to resign if he is unable to serve South Africans.
She accused the president of remaining silent and inactive while illegal immigrants allegedly act with impunity.
She said: “I’m recording this video in the hope that it will reach the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. I’m raising a few questions as a concerned South African.
“I want to know if the president still loves and cares for South Africans. I ask these questions because he seems to be preoccupied with other matters.
“As the leader of this country, do you still care about what ordinary South Africans are going through, or is it just about the places you visit, the people you meet, and the businesses you invest in, rather than the citizens you serve?”
Ngobese-Zuma continued: “Mr President, right now we are facing a scourge of illegal immigration. These individuals are not held accountable, and what’s worse, they are being aided by South Africans who assist them in their criminal activities.
“Corruption and criminality have become commonplace in our country; everyone seems to be involved.
“Crime is rampant [as shown by various] television shows, and we see human trafficking, drug dealing, missing children, and fake documentation.”
Lack of leadership and guidance
Ngobese-Zuma went on to state that South Africans are exposed to all types of crime that have been normalised.
“I don’t think we have anyone to look up to except you. We placed you in that position of leadership. If your attention isn’t on the issues facing South Africans, may I ask what your current focus is?
“What could be more important than the people you were elected to serve? Young people are dying from drug abuse, gun violence is out of control, and they are losing themselves in the party lifestyle.
“This is due to a lack of leadership and guidance. Children are dying from products sold in spaza shops, and the only solution we got from you was compensation from the shop owners. What actions are being taken against the people who manufacture and distribute these drugs? Do they ever face justice?
“Why was it so easy to declare a state of emergency for Covid-19, yet you can’t do the same for crime? As a woman in South Africa, I fervently plead with you, Mr. President, to address the current state of our nation.
“We cannot continue living in fear. We need to eradicate illegal immigration. These individuals have taken over our country, ruined our cities, and occupied our buildings.
“Why must we fight to survive? Why are you not addressing these issues? Why are you silent on something so critical?”
She continued: “When will you listen to what South Africans want – the very people you are meant to serve?
“If anything else is more important to you than the citizens of this country, Mr President, then perhaps you’re in the wrong position. South Africans must come first, and if they don’t, then clearly leadership is not in your heart.”
Ngobese-Zuma told Sunday World that she was not happy with Ramaphosa’s leadership.
“I’m making this call so that he knows how we feel. We expect him to serve and protect us, but unfortunately he’s not doing that. I am still waiting for his response.”
At the time of publication, Sunday World had not heard back from Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson.
