ANNEXURE A
www.defendrsa.org.za
WHY CYRIL RAMAPHOSA MUST FALL!!
South Africa in Crisis: The Devastating Impact of Government Failures,
Corruption, and Democratic Subversion
Since 2019, South Africa has experienced a dramatic decline in economic stability, social security,
and overall governance under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling African
National Congress (ANC). The failures of this administration have plunged millions into deeper
poverty, unemployment, and lawlessness, making everyday life unbearable for ordinary South
Africans.
1. A Broken Economy: Rising Costs, Soaring Inflation, and Unemployment
One of the most devastating consequences of this administration's failure is the skyrocketing
unemployment rate, which has increased from 29.1% in 2019 to 32% in 2024. The youth of
South Africa, once promised a brighter future, now face 58% unemployment, up from 43%—a
betrayal of the hopes and dreams of a generation.
The dollar-to-rand exchange rate has plummeted from R14.44 to R18.65, reflecting the
country's declining economic strength and diminishing investor confidence. As a result, everyday
necessities have become unaffordable. The food basket price has surged from R3,065.28 to
R5,297.58, making basic groceries a luxury for struggling households. Inflation, which stood at
4.1% in 2019, has climbed to 5.84%, further eroding the purchasing power of South Africans.
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South Africa’s national debt has ballooned from $166 billion to $298 billion, increasing the
financial burden on future generations. Meanwhile, the repo rate has surged from 6.5% to 8.25%,
making borrowing more expensive and further crippling economic growth.
2. Unaffordable national debt under Ramaphosa—a legacy of betrayal
When Cyril Ramaphosa took office in 2018, South Africa’s national debt stood at R2.49 trillion.
Today, it has exploded to R5.2 trillion—a disgraceful doubling of debt under his watch! The
country’s debt-service costs are projected to be R388.9 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, swallowing
a shocking 21.6% of the national budget—more than what is allocated to social protection,
healthcare, or public safety! Ramaphosa's leadership has driven our country into financial ruin,
and now his government dares to rob the people to pay for its crimes!
3. Just Energy Transition (JET) – an economic sabotage
South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET) has been a catastrophic failure, crippling Eskom,
deepening load shedding, and selling out the nation’s energy sovereignty to foreign interests.
The premature shutdown of coal power stations, imposed by Western-funded climate deals, has
left the country without a stable energy base, while unreliable renewables fail to meet demand.
Eskom is bleeding billions, forced to buy expensive power from private producers while its own
plants collapse due to lack of investment. JET is not a just transition—it is economic sabotage,
designed to dismantle state control over energy and enrich global elites at the expense of South
Africans. It's time to reject this energy colonization, revive our coal and nuclear industries,
and take back control of our power grid!
South Africans must wake up to the real agenda behind JET—it’s not about a “clean future,” but
about crippling our economy, weakening state control, and forcing dependency on foreign
energy giants. While the elites profit, ordinary citizens suffer in darkness, businesses collapse,
and jobs disappear. We must fight for energy independence, demand the restoration of our
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coal and nuclear power, and expose the lies of this so-called "just transition" before it's too
late!
ESKOM has lost close to R200 billion since Cyril Ramaphosa took over.
4. The Issue of Uncontrolled Illegal Immigration
One of the most pressing and neglected crises in South Africa is uncontrolled illegal
immigration, which has placed immense strain on social services, healthcare, and employment
opportunities for South African citizens.
• Displacement of South African Children in Schools: Schools are overwhelmed by the
number of foreign children, displacing South African kids from enrolment and forcing
them to study far from home, increasing transportation costs and creating unnecessary
hardships for families.
• Health and Housing System Strain: Healthcare facilities and housing projects are
overburdened as undocumented foreigners access public hospitals and government-
subsidized housing, leading to shortages of resources for citizens.
• Crime and Border Security: The lack of border enforcement has contributed to rising
crime rates, with many illegal immigrants remaining unregistered and unaccountable
under South African law.
5. Crime, Corruption, and Social Decay
Crime has spiraled out of control, with violent murders rising from 57 people killed per day in
2019 to 75 people killed per day in 2024. Lawlessness and insecurity now define daily life, with
criminals acting with impunity due to an ineffective and failing justice system.
At the same time, poverty has increased drastically. In 2019, 13.8 million South Africans lived
in poverty, but by 2024, that number has grown to 18.2 million. The ANC-led administration has
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prioritized corruption over service delivery, with wasteful and irregular expenditure totaling
R1.52 billion between 2019 and 2023.
• Suspension of School Vendors Instead of Closing Spaza Shops Selling Poisonous
Food: Instead of addressing the real issue of illegal and unregulated foreign-owned
spaza shops selling expired and poisonous food, the government has instead suspended
school vendors, harming local South Africans trying to make a living.
6. Public Protector Findings on CR-17 Campaign Funds: Corruption at the Highest Level
The Public Protector’s findings on the CR-17 campaign funds exposed the extent of corruption
and financial manipulation in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s rise to power. The campaign
received massive financial contributions from undisclosed donors, raising serious concerns
about undue influence from big business interests and foreign actors.
7. Section 89 Independent Panel Report: The Phala-Phala Scandal Cover-Up
The Section 89 Independent Panel Report revealed that Ramaphosa may have violated the
Constitution and abused his power in the Phala-Phala farm scandal. The report highlighted
that:
• Large sums of undeclared foreign currency were hidden at the president’s farm.
• The money was allegedly stolen, yet Ramaphosa failed to report it to law enforcement.
• His actions violated anti-corruption laws, yet Parliament protected him from impeachment,
undermining democracy and the rule of law.
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8. The Government of National Unity (GNU): Subversion of Democracy by Big Business
The so-called Government of National Unity (GNU) is nothing more than a subversion of
democracy, orchestrated by big businesses and corporate elites who want to control the political
landscape for their own interests.
• The GNU was created to protect Ramaphosa and the ruling elite, ensuring that the ANC
remains in power despite its failures.
• Instead of delivering real political change, the GNU preserves the influence of big
business over government decisions, bypassing the will of the people.
9. Collapse of Our National Defence Force: A National Embarrassment
South Africa’s military, once a strong and respected force, is now a shadow of its former self. The
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been humiliated by M-23 rebels in
Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Our soldiers are currently trapped by M-23 rebels, unable to escape or launch a counter-
offensive.
• This failure is a direct result of underfunding, mismanagement, and the ANC
government’s neglect of national defense.
• South Africa can no longer defend itself, let alone participate in international peacekeeping
efforts.
This is a national disgrace, proving that the government has completely failed in protecting both
our borders and our international reputation.
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10. Decimation of Small Businesses During Lockdown
The COVID-19 lockdown of 2019 destroyed thousands of small businesses, many of which
have still not recovered.
• Instead of helping struggling businesses, the government used COVID relief funds to
enrich political allies and close associates.
• Funds meant to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners were looted, leaving
many South Africans financially ruined.
• Corporate chains survived while small businesses collapsed, further increasing
unemployment and economic hardship.
While ANC politicians and their friends grew richer from corruption, ordinary South Africans
were pushed deeper into poverty.
Conclusion: The Need for Change
The statistics and scandals paint a clear picture of failure: rising unemployment, worsening
poverty, escalating crime, uncontrolled illegal immigration, a collapsing military,
widespread corruption, and a deliberate subversion of democracy. South Africa cannot afford
to continue on this path. The people must demand accountability and take action to remove a
government that has neglected its duty to serve and protect its citizens.
“History is not written by those who wait—it is forged by those who rise! We will not be
silenced; we will not be moved. The chains of injustice will be shattered, and power will return
to the people. The revolution is here, and nothing can stop us now!”
#CyrilMustFall #DefendSouthAfrica #RAMAPHOSAisHISTORY
#OccupytheUnionBuildigs
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