“AfriForum, Solidarity, are non-patriotic” – Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has again condemned lobby groups AfriForum and Solidarity, for what he described as a campaign to “spread misinformation” about the country to the US administration. His comments come after a recent visit by the two groups to Washington, where they met with representatives of the US administration. Ramaphosa said the groups action are non-patriotic, as they’re unable to resolve the country’s problems internally, but embark on a mission to “damage the sovereignty of the country,” by running off to other countries and expect them to act against South Africa. “They have instigated the action that is now being taken against the people of South Africa. I take a dim view, in fact a very negative view of what has ensued as they run around the world, bad mouthing their own country, and putting their country into disrepute, not by things that are happening, but by misinformation and that also lead to dividing our nation. What their seeking to do, is to spread racist statements about their own country, when we’re involved in building a nation out of the thrones of very divided situation that we suffered under. I’m hugely disappointed and take a dim view of what AfriForum and Solidarity have done,” said Ramaphosa, who was responding to oral questions in parliament. Furthermore, Ramaphosa said whether the groups action was treasonous or not, will be determined by law enforcement authorities.Ramaphosa applauded the work done by South Africa’s Ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, by engaging with several stakeholders, “to mend relations between the two countries, and to clarify the mischaracterisation of the country’s situation, laws, and foreign policy positions. In addition, the president said they country continues to find ways to enhance its exports, should the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) not be renewed. “The AGOA free trade is at the behest of the US government.We do adhere to rules and regulations that are put in place to enable our participation in trade agreements.We continue not only in anticipation of an AGOA initiative, but we continue to expand our export market for a variety of goods around the world. As we visit various countries, we actively promote our own country to ensure that our reliance on various markets, becomes a multiplicity of engagements,” explained Ramaphosa.