Ramaphosa to be ‘held responsible’ for virus deaths

South African opposition leader Julius Malema says President Cyril Ramaphosa will be held personally responsible for deaths from coronavirus after he decided to reopen the country’s economy.

Speaking on Tuesday during a virtual celebration of South Africa’s Youth Day, Mr Malema accused President Ramaphosa of being an “ally of white monopoly capital”. 

Mr Malema, who leads the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party, urged South Africans to stay safe and protect their loved ones form the virus.

He also announced his support for reinstating a countrywide ban on the sale of alcohol. The ban was lifted on 1 June, prompting criticism that a surge in alcohol-fuelled violence would overwhelm South Africa’s health service. 

Mr Malema has in the past opposed the reopening of schools and places of worship, urging his supporters to stay home. He called the reopening a ‘trap’ to infect people with the virus. 

On 8th June South Africa reopened schools for final year students, however several schools have since closed for sanitation after reporting coronavirus cases. 

Photo: AFP