The Post

Ramaphosa has fallen far short of expectations

SINCE the Phala Phala game farm scandal and the Gupta arrests made headlines, I have been keenly following their developments.

I have read various articles and analyses and listened to the comments and arguments by many experts but none, I dare say, impressed me as much as POST’s editorial, “When smallnyana skeletons become cash cushions” (June 8-12).

The editor gives us a good insight into the president, which made me sit up and think. What have we got for a president?

Not as bad as Jacob Zuma but he is a man who has fallen far short of our expectations – yet he wants to run for a second term.

It’s easy to forget, as the editor reminds us, that Ramaphosa was the deputy president at the height of state capture but he didn’t lift a finger to stop it.

Not only did he turn a blind eye to the rampant corruption that was raging across the country but he actively supported Zuma.

In fact, I remember writing a letter questioning why Ramaphosa remained silent when he knew Zuma and some of the Cabinet ministers were friends with the Gupta brothers and joining in the looting frenzy.

Ramaphosa also has the infamous Marikana massacre to his name.

He is much like his counterpart across the Limpopo, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who served as deputy president under the tyrant Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa was part of Mugabe’s inner circle who participated in Mugabe’s reign of terror.

Not only did Mnangagwa do nothing to stop Mugabe from turning his country into a dust bowl but he had great admiration for Mugabe, calling him father, mentor and a great leader of Africa, in his inauguration speech.

Zimbabweans had hopes for Mnangagwa but he has been a disappointment. He has done nothing to grow the economy and improve the lives of his people who suffered under Mugabe for almost four decades.

Likewise, Ramaphosa had a wonderful opportunity to make his mark in history and make this country great again. But he has been a great disappointment.

He has done nothing to turn the tide against crime and corruption, to grow the economy, create jobs, and reduce unemployment.

It was under his watch that the PPE scandal rocked the country and looters ran riot while he and his Cabinet stood by and watched.

Now he has been caught, hiding $4 million (about R60m) under his mattress. His image of a man of principle and integrity has been shattered.

Everyone is asking him to come clean. But how can he when his hands are dirty? The Phala Phala game scandal has his enemies hot on his heels.

Will he be able to fend them off or will they bring him down?

T MARKANDAN

Kloof

Opinion

en-za

2022-06-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thepostza.pressreader.com/article/281668258663809

African News Agency