Ramaphosa urged to deal with vaccine crisis

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to deal with the vaccine crisis, get the economy back on track and address the rising level of unemployment in the country.

Political parties made the call on the eve of Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), which is set to take place in Parliament tonight.

This comes as the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure said yesterday parts of Cape Town would be sealed off for the Sona.

There would be a no-fly zone over Parliament, said police spokesperson Brenda Muridili.

According to National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise, Parliament would comply with Covid-19 protocols and only 50 people would be allowed in for the address.

They would include 30 MPS from various parties, but no members from the EFF would attend as the party had chosen to follow proceedings virtually.

The DA, Cope and the ACDP said yesterday they wanted answers from Ramaphosa about the vaccine debacle.

“We will need full transparency around the procurement, distribution and dispensing of vaccines. We have every reason to be very concerned about an opaque and highly centralised procurement and distribution system, and the only way the president can allay these concerns is through full transparency,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said.

Cope national spokesperson Dennis Bloem said Ramaphosa must use the Sona to answer questions about the bungled handling of vaccine procurement and address the high unemployment rate in the country.

Bloem pointed out that national debt had reached more than R3 trillion of GDP and that this constituted a crisis that had ramifications for the country.

ACDP MP Steve Swart said they wanted Ramaphosa to give an update on the economic recovery plan he announced last year.

This was because 2.2 million people had lost their jobs and many businesses had closed down.

“We want to know what the president is doing to implement the economic recovery plan he announced last year,” said Swart.

He added Ramaphosa must deal with the shambolic attempt to roll out vaccines, particularly the acquisition of the Astrazeneca vaccines.

The ACDP also wanted full details on other vaccines, their efficacy and measures taken to prevent corruption in their procurement and distribution.