President Cyril Ramaphosa slammed the Economic Freedom Fighters' protest on Monday calling it an abuse of people's rights by compelling them not to go to work on a working day. EFF led a nationwide protest on Monday against rolling blackouts, unemployment and also calling for Ramaphosa to resign.
HAPPY SOUTH AFRICANS DIDNT TAKE PART IN EFF PROTEST
Delivering his keynote address during the Human Rights Day in De Aar, Northern Cape, President Ramaphosa said he was happy that South Africans did not heed the call to participate in EFF's national shutdown protest. "I am glad that South Africans did not heed their call. We must not allow other people to abuse other people's rights," Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa had said last week that while people had the right to protest, the only way of get him out of office would be through a vote and not an attempt to overthrow the government. "Coercing others to act in a way that you want is not a part of our democratic architecture and I wanted to say, very clearly: disorder and anarchy will not be allowed in South Africa. "We will not allow those who want to spread anarchy to do what they like, here." he said days before the protest.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION
Ramaphosa was in Northern Cape together with Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola and Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul. He said the 21 March is a day in which the bill of rights was adopted and that those who fought for the rights of all South Africans be remembered. "The bill of rights was adopted on 19 March 1923 during an ANC Conference that was held in Bloemfontein in the Free State in the same year. "This year is the 100th anniversary of the first bill of rights. Let us work together. Let us work together on rights that were adopted in the past. Our constitution says everyone has a right to housing, health care, food, and education. When we drafted the constitution, we went across the country and consulted you," he said.
GOVERNMENT NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM ITS PEOPLE
Ramaphosa further said that the current administration will never run away from its people. "Our government will never run away from their responsibilities. This is why Saul is busy in talks with the Treasury to address the issue of houses in the Northern Cape. As we learn the lessons of the past let us work together to confront its devastating legacy. There are times where water is not provided and waste is not collected, we are working very hard to improve their services. We know that there are some people in some municipalities that are stealing money that should be providing basic service delivery. Those who steal money must know that we will make sure that they get arrested. All our people must be well served. Everyone who works for the government and doesn't serve our people well, you are violating their human rights," he said.
