PICTURE: INSTAGRAM/ JACKIE PHAMOTSE
Author, businesswoman and social activist, Jackie Phamotse has recently penned an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing her concerns following the president’s recent statement about a simplified visa process for Nigerian visitors.
Jackie, renowned for her controversial book Bare, recently took to social media platforms to share her anxieties in an open letter addressed to the president. She penned her concerns about the growing threat of human trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV) and other violent crimes in SA.
“Your recent statement allowing Nigerians to travel to South Africa with ease has sparked fear among many citizens, who worry that this will open the floodgates for criminals to enter and operate freely.”
She also implored the president to take time and listen to the concerns of SA citizens and take actions to ensure their safety.
Dear Mr. President. @CyrilRamaphosa May you find this Plea fit for your urgent attention.
Regards.
J.P pic.twitter.com/G1ZpolJ9wi— Jackie Phamotse (@JackiePhamotse) December 4, 2024
The Presidency took to their X (formerly Twitter) page to clarify misunderstandings that may have arisen from his opening remarks, after an uproar ensued on X.
STATEMENT ON SIMPLIFIED VISA PROCESS FOR NIGERIAN VISITORS
The Presidency wishes to clarify a misunderstanding that appears to have arisen from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening remarks at the SA-Nigeria Bi-National Commission yesterday (03 December 2024) about the simplified…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 4, 2024
X users reacted to the president’s statement, with some calling for a national shutdown and demanding that he resigns.
If you come across this Please Retweet until someone sees this
Union Buildings #Resign President Cyril Ramaphosa ABAHAMBE Gayton Nigerians pic.twitter.com/EnLQTFQChm
— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) December 4, 2024
Dear South Africans from all 9 provinces, we have our differences, but let’s put them aside
Let’s agree on one thing: #RamaphosaMustGo.
The man must simply resign.
That or a #NationalShutdown.
His decision-making has been persistently detrimental to the countrySikhathele!😭 pic.twitter.com/sh0qOVemOZ
— 🇿🇦 iScathulo SePhara 👞 (@ISephara) December 4, 2024
With her sense of humour, Lebo Kheswa also shared her opinion:
I want to do a video saying; Ramaphosa must gooooo👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 Ramaphosa must gooooo👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽Ramaphosa must gooooooo👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽. Does he even understand the pain and hurt of go jelwa ke le Nigerian🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽#NationalShutDown #Resign#UnionBuildings#NigeriaInSA #Nigerians pic.twitter.com/EqnD4eyMui
— Lebo Keswa (@Lebo_PulumoM) December 4, 2024