EFF condemn Ramaphosa’s ‘arrogant and homicidal’ lockdown response

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are arguably the least happy group of people after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a number of changes to lockdown policy on Sunday 12 July. 

The Red Berets have called for an immediate return to Level 5 lockdown regulations after they charged that Ramaphosa has “abdicated his responsibility” to save lives as the country faces a surge of COVID-19 infections. 

On Monday 13 July, the EFF called for the closure of schools and said that the decision to allow taxis to operate at a 100% passenger capacity is ill-advised. 

EFF: ‘We told you so’ 

EFF national spokesperson Vuyanai Pambo said that Ramaphosa’s decision to reinstate the ban on the sale of alcohol is the result of his failure to heed their advice. 

“We warned Ramaphosa principally that any easing of the lockdown regulations must be based on science and epidemiological evidence of a drop in the rate of infection and anything other than this would be a gamble with people’s lives,” he said. 

“We told Ramaphosa countless times about the danger of alcohol and how it is at the centre of social discord in South Africa, and how to resume the sale of alcohol will place a burden on health infrastructure and weaken our efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus.”

“He failed to listen, and today hospitals are struggling to manage the surge of infections because of having to deal with alcohol-related trauma incidents.”

Pambo added that Ramaphosa’s suggestion that the situation South Africa finds itself in is in any way the fault of its citizens is abhorrent. 

“As a leader, Ramaphosa failed to take responsibility for his own poor decision making,” he said. 

“Ramaphosa’s pathetic attempts of blaming South Africans for a situation he has control over as the leader of this country must be rejected.” 

EFF demand closure of schools

The EFF have demanded that schools be closed immediately, saying that government is initiating a “cruel social experiment” with South Africa’s children, adding that the decision to allow taxis to operate at full tilt is irrational. 

“The decision to sanction 100% loading capacity for all local taxi travel is ill-advised and will lead to a surge of infections,” said Pambo. 

“The decision to persist in keeping schools open is an unethical and cruel social-experiment that makes children guinea pigs who will carry this deadly virus into their homes and put their loved ones at risk.”

Schools continue to welcome back students as lockdown regulations are relaxed, with One SA Movement leader Mmusi Maimane having launched several court bids at various legislative levels in an effort to overturn the decision.

“There must be an immediate closure of all schools, and the leadership of this country must abandon its arrogant and homicidal decision to gamble with the lives of the children of South Africa,” added the EFF. 

‘We hold him responsible for each death’  

The EFF reserved plenty of vigour for a comprehensive slating of Ramaphsa’s ethics in their statemetn, saying that the president is operating as an “agent of white monopoly capital” who is steadfast in his desire to put profits ahead of the lives of his people. 

“We find ourselves in this crisis because he refuses to be a leader and has decided to abdicate his responsibilities, leaving it up to individuals to fight a deadly pandemic,” said Pambo. 

“As the EFF, we hold him principally responsible for each death and more so the inevitable increase of infections that will come because he refuses to take charge and protect the lives of people.”

“Failure to return to Level 5 will lead to mass deaths, and we will ensure that Ramaphosa accounts for each death as a result of his poor leadership as an agent of white monopoly capital, who wants to see deaths before making long overdue and necessary decisions.”