Central SA
Sona 2025: Scepticism over lack of accountability, crime strategy─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 11:30 Fri, 07 Feb 2025
The president’s state of the nation address has drawn mixed reactions.
Critics have dismissed Sona 2025 as a celebratory speech disconnected from the everyday struggles of South Africans.
ActionSA’s leader criticised it for failing to acknowledge widespread crime, weak border control, and the influence of international criminal syndicates.
Immense challenges with crime
“The president delivered a speech that felt more like a victory lap than a reflection of reality,” Herman Mashaba said. “South Africans face immense challenges with crime, open borders, and organised crime networks. His speech did not address these concerns.”
He expressed frustration over the lack of accountability for corrupt politicians, calling for stronger action from the NPA and judiciary.
Cyril Ramaphosa did highlight progress in tackling corruption, saying the Special Investigating Unit and Asset Forfeiture Unit had recovered more than R10 billion in state capture-related cases. He announced plans to introduce the Whistleblower Protections Bill in parliament and strengthen legislation against money laundering and terror financing, key steps in removing South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
“We want a nation at peace with the world,” Ramaphosa said, adding law enforcement agencies had made progress in addressing systemic weaknesses.
ActionSA Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip dismissed the speech as “vintage Ramaphosa”, accusing the president of acting more like an observer than a decisive leader. “He stands in parliament and boasts about recovering R10 billion from state capture, yet nobody’s been prosecuted.”
Political analyst Prof. Kedibone Phago criticised the speech for lacking concrete commitments on crime and public safety. “It’s crucial for politicians to prioritise these issues and show how state capacity will be strengthened. That did not come through as clearly as it should have.”
Despite his concerns, Phago acknowledged the speech addressed unemployment and infrastructure development. He highlighted the Infrastructure Fund as a promising initiative but stressed its success depends on GNU ministers tasked with implementation.
