Ordinary people are becoming impatient, Mr President

I never thought that two presidents of the ANC would fail to finish their term of office. I’m glad Cyril Ramaphosa is entering the presidency with his eyes wide open. He needs to tackle problem areas with the support of loyal and law-abiding comrades. People are becoming impatient with the ruling party and he needs to act fast. There is no time for trial and error — we have passed that stage a long time ago. We need to see results. Empty promises and lies must be a thing of the past. Comrade Ramaphosa was once a leader of the most powerful trade union in the country, the National Union of Mineworkers, so he knows what to do. The ground is level for him to show us his moves and I am wishing him all the best.

— Mzwandile Nkomombini, Port Elizabeth

Twisted preachers’ bitter fruit

Power and spiritual manipulation are two potent elements used by twisted and perverse men who claim to represent God (“Congregants accuse bishop of raping them”, February 11). We are vulnerable people and evidently easily led into believing that what we are told is true. Many South Africans are searching for something or someone higher than us, something higher than our misery. In that spiritual hunger and in our vulnerability, opportunists lead people to believe that their financial, social and political misery will cease if they, the preachers, remain at the helm of influence. They gain power by scaring people with unfounded spiritual hogwash. This same tool of power is used to sexually abuse or assault women, and to make them believe that their entire existence is dependent on the preacher’s spiritual power. This often silences those who are sexually abused in the name of the church’s reputation. I know this, as I have had plenty of young sisters from the church complaining about such incidents, and yet the church remains silent about such scandals, at the expense of the dignity of abused women. What is worse is that it is often not the male elders who protect the abusers but elderly women, who at times blame young women when such incidents occur, citing the attire and demeanour of the women as the cause of such gruesome acts.

— Elgin Hlaka, Johannesburg

Mnguni spot-on about Zexit

Lukhona Mnguni (“ANC sidelines constitution and its own processes in secret ‘talks’ ”, February 11) displays an indepth understanding of the constitution of South Africa and clearly distinguishes between a majority party in parliament and the state. He punctures the myth of “two centres of power”, something that is nonexistent in the constitution.

Most telling is Mnguni’s conclusion that the removal of Jacob Zuma was motivated more by the desire of the majority party to enhance its chances of winning the general election in 2019 than saving the country.

— Dr Kenosi Mosalakae, Houghton

Congrats, Cyril Ramaphosa!

I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Cyril Ramaphosa. Mr Ramaphosa, it is up to you to ensure the implementation of a better education system that will lead to more educated citizens, people who can become selfsufficient and contribute economically to help grow South Africa for all its people. It is only through education that we can ensure a prosperous future for all the citizens of South Africa.

— Debra Zeborah, Durban

Say this about Marikana, please

On August 16 2012 a tragedy befell our democracy when state security forces massacred striking miners at Marikana in North West.

I would like to propose that Cyril Ramaphosa apologise to the people of South Africa for his role in the matter.

He should say something like this: “As a director of Lonmin, I provided my account of the role I played in the matter at the Marikana commission of inquiry, which subsequently exonerated me of any wrongdoing in the massacre. But now, as the president, I commit to do all in my power to repair the damage to society and the affected individuals and families. I want to deal with outstanding matters relating to reparation, compensation, and the rebuilding of trust with the Marikana community and workers in the platinum belt.”

— Kenneth S Tyika, Winchester Hills

Zero tolerance for poachers

I want to express my indignation about the recent court decision to grant bail to Rodney Landela.

This is a decision that compromises the integrity of South Africa’s justice system and its core values relating to the protection of the country’s most valuable assets.

Landela and a colleague, Kenneth Motshotsho, allegedly took advantage of their trusted positions as regional ranger and state veterinary technician at South African National Parks, respectively.

They have been charged with the killing of a white rhino in Kruger National Park in July 2016.

Detached horns, bloodied boots, and a large-calibre rifle were found, allegedly linking the men to the crime.

In December, the High Court in Mbombela granted bail for Landela at the ridiculously low sum of R20 000, allowing him to roam free until trial. The decision to free Landela on bail, as well as a general lack of prosecutions in poaching cases, sends a message of weakness from the courts. It conveys tolerance for this illegal activity.

It is time for judges and legislators to take a stand and send a clear, strong message of zero tolerance for poaching.

— Andrea Neves, Florida, US

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