President dismisses referendum on secession

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has given a clearest indication that he has no intention of holding a referendum to test public opinion for secession of any part of South Africa.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

"The founding provisions of our Constitution state that the Republic of South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state," Ramaphosa said.

He made the statement while responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Thapelo Mogale, who asked whether he intends holding a referendum to test public opinion for or against secession of the Western Cape, the creation of a Volkstaat for Afrikaners and Western Cape independence.

In his response, Ramaphosa said the Constitution obliged him to defend the supreme law of the country and promote unity of the nation.

"In line with the constitutional responsibility of the president to uphold, defend, and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic and to promote the unity of the nation, I have no intention of considering a proposal or holding a referendum on the secession of any part of the country," he said.

Ramaphosa also stated that he has not been lobbied by any component of the Government of National Unity (GNU) on the matter.

Responding to EFF leader Julius Malema, Ramaphosa said there are 43 deputy ministers appointed in terms of Section 93 of the Constitution in the Government of National Unity.

"As required by Section 93 of the Constitution, the deputy ministers are appointed to assist the ministers," he said.