President Cyril Ramaphosa says he does not agree with allegations that his controversial statement on ethnic mobilisation was behind the July 2021 riots. JulyUnrest
He says, “Like millions of South Africans, I also followed the many conversations, watched the video clips and listened to the audio recordings being disseminated. The conversations and hashtags in circulation at the time saying things like “#CyrilMustResign or #CyrilMustGo” are all expressions of the right to free speech enshrined in our Constitution.”
“But I, like millions of South Africans, have bitter memories of our past, where tribalism and ethnic chauvinism were used to promote hatred, and to divide. It is a time I never wish to see recur…That is also why hearing testimony on Day 4 of these hearings by Ms Melanie Veness, the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business about graffiti sprayed across a truck in Pietermaritzburg depicting the words ‘Ramaphosa must go back to Venda’ hit a particular nerve.
Ramaphosa says, “Of course, it has been proven that this sentiment was and is not shared by the majority of the South African people. This is something I have acknowledged repeatedly, and will do so here again. What I do not agree with, however, is the allegation made in complaints received by this Commission that what I said could have led to the escalation of the violence and looting.”
He says a proper reading of his statements over those days, the chronology of when they were made, and an examination of the events that took place clearly show this cannot be plausible.
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