African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula has expressed concern after the ANC called on the public to reject a proposed national shutdown to unseat Cyril Ramaphosa as the president.
This comes in the wake of growing calls for Ramaphosa to resign after he announced the country's new visa policy with Nigeria.
Ramaphosa announced that Nigerian travellers to South Africa will just need to present a copy of their passports when asking for a visa. The original document will be provided later.
But on Friday, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula called on South Africans to reject the “so-called” shutdown, describing it as a failed attempt to sow chaos.
"We are here to lead and we will not falter in this responsibility. We will not betray values and principles. Ramaphosa is a product of the democratic process and leading the ANC.
"The attack on Ramaphosa is an attack on our nation including the ANC," he said.
Zungula took it to X to voice his frustration.
"It seems everyone else has a right to protest and register their displeasure in this country except for black South Africans.
"The government continues to protect illegal foreigners while putting severe constraints on the rights of South Africans, barring them from exercising their hard-earned democratic right to demonstrate," he said.
On social media, calls for a nationwide shutdown have gained momentum as South Africans express their displeasure with how Ramaphosa's administration has handled the spaza shop-related deaths.
About 22 children across the country died from food items that they had bought from the local spaza shops.
This included either snacks or sweets.
Ramaphosa has issued a directive to all spaza shop owners to register their business.
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