Note to editors: Dr Mmusi Maimane MP delivered this speech in Parliament today during the debate of the Presidency Budget Vote.
Honourable Speaker,
The country needs a President focused on South Africa’s problems, not one distracted by his own.
We debate this Presidency budget in a national mood where optimism is in short supply.
More than 63 million South Africans look to this Government of National Unity for leadership, opportunity and hope.
What they experience is frustration, anxiety, and growing disbelief that government fully grasps the scale of their daily struggles.
The economy is stunted. 12 million remain unemployed. Basic dignity has become unaffordable for far too many families.
Our communities are gripped by anti-African violence, as frustration and desperation spill over into attacks on fellow Africans.
Corruption has become woven into the very fabric of public life, hollowing out institutions and robbing citizens of opportunity. It is a disease that requires urgent and uncompromising treatment.
Yet too often, this government hides the severity of our problems behind comforting euphemisms.
We speak of “loadshedding” when what people experience are electricity cuts.
We speak of “water throttling” when communities endure water cuts.
We speak of “gender-based violence” when women are being abused and raped.
We speak of “xenophobia” when what we are witnessing is anti-African violence.
We speak of a “cost-of-living crisis” when the truth is that basic human dignity has become unaffordable for millions of South Africans.
And at precisely the moment South Africa requires a President singularly focused on leading government in fixing these crises, President Ramaphosa finds himself consumed by the storm cloud of Phala Phala that hangs over his head.
Madam Speaker, a distracted President is a dysfunctional President.
And that is what we are forced to sit with every day.
The country is once again drawn into legal disputes, procedural battles and political uncertainty surrounding matters arising from the President’s private affairs.
Parliament’s impeachment process concerning Phala Phala will soon proceed.
If President Ramaphosa maintains his innocence, he should welcome the opportunity to clear his name.
He must subject himself fully to Parliament’s impeachment committee and allow the process to reach its conclusion without delay or unnecessary legal diversion.
Parliament’s process must be allowed to run its course. Only through transparency and accountability can this matter finally be resolved.
If the President pursues legal remedies in relation to a matter arising from his private farm and private affairs, South African taxpayers should not be expected to bankroll that litigation.
That is neither appropriate nor justifiable.
Every cent of public money must be directed towards solving the country’s problems, not shielding politicians from the potential consequences of their personal conduct.
I close as I opened. The country needs a President focused on South Africa’s problems, not one distracted by his own.
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