President Cyril Ramaphosa, July civil unrest, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, durban, johannesburg, South African Human Rights Commission, SAHRC

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver his testimony as Head of State at the SAHRC’s hearings into the July civil unrest. Photo: GCIS / Flickr

Busy week for Ramaphosa as SAHRC hearings into July unrest expected

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to give his testimony to the SAHRC regarding the July unrest in his capacity as Head of State.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, July civil unrest, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, durban, johannesburg, South African Human Rights Commission, SAHRC

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver his testimony as Head of State at the SAHRC’s hearings into the July civil unrest. Photo: GCIS / Flickr

On Friday, 1 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa will appear at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The hearings are with regards to the deadly unrest that occurred in July last year.

The after-effects of the July unrest is still being felt

Cabinet ministers like Ayanda Dlodlo and Bheki Cele have already presented evidence at the sessions. The hearings are looking into the most violent time of civil unrest in the Republic of South Africa’s history.

Reports revealed that over 300 people lost their lives during the unrest. To add to this, businesses were ruined as looting and violence rampaged through Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in 2021.

The SAHRC revealed that the president would give his testimony about the July unrest as Head of State, reports EWN. Testimonies have been heard from a number of community members, survivors and as well as private security and state officials. 

19 instigators have been arrested

At the beginning of March 2022, Minister Cele shared a list of 19 suspected instigators of the July unrest. According to Cele, the 19 individuals were arrested for being behind the violence and looting.

Cele did, however, state that investigations are not over and there is a possibility of more arrests being made in future.

Bye? Ramaphosa and cabinet to face motion of no confidence this week

It’s going to be a very busy new week for President Cyril Ramaphosa. After arriving back from his trip to Dubai, the president will have to defeat his challengers in Parliament. Ramaphosa and his cabinet will face a motion of no confidence each. Will ANC MPs fall in line?

Ramaphosa is facing a motion of no confidence, after the African Transformation Movement, finally had its request granted. In terms of the president’s cabinet, DA leader John Steenhuisen has sponsored his own motion.

While the ATM wants Ramaphosa specifically gone, the DA wants Ramaphosa’s cabinet removed, but not the man himself. Both motions will be debated and voted on, on Wednesday afternoon. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has ruled that both votes will NOT be by secret ballot. Read the full story here.