President Cyril Ramaphosa has come under renewed criticism after he was accused of playing truant to his official duties. This, while seemingly serving his own financial interests, particularly that of Ankole cattle.
The first man of Mzansi has come under fire after calling in sick this week, delaying an expected cabinet reshuffle. However, the president was spotted at an Ankole auction and socialising with businessmen bigwigs instead.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa is too SICK for a crucial cabinet reshuffle but NOT for an Ankole auction
CELEBS, POLITICIANS, AND TWEEPS DEMAND ANSWERS
Earlier this week, News24 reported that Cyril Ramaphosa had taken sick leave after feeling unwell. The president was rumoured to have presented his cabinet reshuffle this week, high on his agenda following the State of the Nation address last month.
But pics and clips of Cyril speaking at an Ankole auction dinner and hosting guests on his Phala Phala game reserve in Limpopo on Friday night, quickly went viral.
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And South Africans demanded answers.
TV and radio personality tweeted: “Mr President, is the video doing the rounds indeed from an event you attended last night? After you called in sick for your country duties? But you were well enough to rock up AND speak at the cattle event?”
Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimaine added: “South Africa, who is fooling who? We were told that the cabinet reshuffle is delayed because of the president being down with a cold. Yet the same president had the energy to attend an Ankole auction”.
He added: “Are we being taken seriously? Are we being respected by the head of state?”
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Democratic Alliance spokesman Solly Malatsi added: “The President looks in good spirits for someone who has a ‘cold’ ..yet he has all the strength for his Ankole! His priorities are clear. He did say he often wonders why he does his job!”
Former ANC ally Carl Niehaus also chimed in, tweeting: “He is ill, he has flu, he procrastinates. He delays reshuffling. But @CyrilRamaphosa is in attendance, and is a speaker at the Ankole Auction!”
Here’s what tweeps had to say:
@tmtsheole: “Our patient is busy auctioning Ankole instead of sleeping and taking medication. Announcing new cabinet is such a mission, but counting the ankole moola is so easy”
@Gentlements: “Being a President is a side hustle for Ramaphosa.”
@diannehawker: “What in the calling in sick but attending Ankole auctions is going on here?! Isn’t the one rule of taking a sick is not to be caught”
GOVERNMENT SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT AFTER ANKOLE AUCTION
Meanwhile, a spokesperson in the office of the presidency attempted to set the record straight on social media commentary surrounding Cyril Ramaphosa’a Ankole auction.
Vincent Magwenya told the SABC: “Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a gross exaggeration to say that the President is unwell.
“On Tuesday, he had a minor cold which did not prevent him from proceeding with his duties. As you saw, he hosted his Ugandan counterpart, President Museveni and he continued with his duties throughout the day, so it’s just a minor cold. It’s not something that would have prevented him to fulfil any of his duties”.
Magwenya added: “We must also correct the rumours that there was an announcement that he was due to make yesterday.
“There was never such an announcement, should there be an announcement, we will advise in time. It is just a bit of speculation and rumour mongering at the moment”.
ANC Head of Digital Communications Athi Gelebi – who is dating DJ SHimza – also clapped back at the social media commentary with multiple shady tweets.
