@jsteenhuisen#cyrilramaphosa
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 13, 2020
READ | What you need to know: 9 main points from Ramaphosa’s speech
The DA has called on government to end the curfew, ramp up direct cash transfers, urgently help hungry people and lift the ban on cigarettes and alcohol sales. They have also called for the reinstatement of the separation of powers to enable executive oversight.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa was also critical of Ramaphosa, saying that the president “said nothing”. Holomisa accused the president of delay tactics.
“He will have to move faster to ease the economic situation. He claims that South Africa has done well but where are the rewards? He must make sure that government is not suffering from selective amnesia,” Holomisa told News24.
“One moment they reference international community trends when they justify the lockdown, but when the international community is rewarding its people by easing lockdown, he drags his feet.”
Premature
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed his disapproval of the planned lockdown drop to Level 3, saying that it was premature.
Hlengwa also questioned why Ramaphosa was not specific about the areas where government had made mistakes.
At the tail end of his speech, the president conceded that some of government’s actions had been unclear, contradictory and invoked anger and opposition.
READ | Most of SA can prepare for Level 3 lockdown at the end of May – Ramaphosa
“The mixed messages arise because many (Cabinet members) are still excited to appear in the media as if this is a popularity contest,” Hlengwa said.
“He missed an opportunity to take the country into his confidence when it comes to consequence in order to curb further Cabinet mistakes and mixed messaging.”
The IFP was also expecting more detail from Ramaphosa on the reopening of schools, adding that government needed to have a more comprehensive plan.
