Former Western Cape High Court judge and Deputy President of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), John Hlophe, says President Cyril Ramaphosa is a corrupt and conflicted leader. Image: Gallo Images/Foto24/Bongiwe Gumede.
(The Post News)– John Hlophe, parliamentary leader and deputy president of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision-making, calling him a conflicted, corrupt leader with selective morality.
Hlophe was speaking at the Presidency’s budget vote for the 2025/2026 financial year in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, where he used the opportunity to blame the President for placing Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on leave, following corruption allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The president presented his budget vote, focusing on the 7th administration’s three strategic priorities, which include promoting inclusive growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. However, Hlophe spoke against Ramaphosa’s promises, saying that the current presidency is no longer the house of the people but has become the fortress of a conflicted, compromised president.
Hlophe described Ramaphosa as a president who is “broken beyond repair” and said that he is leading a country that is “shattered by broken promises and shattered lives.” He further said that this president’s couch devoured millions of dollars in foreign currency—police harass, chase, and arrest impoverished South Africans who try to make ends meet by selling food on street corners.
The MK Party leader called out Ramaphosa for being “corrupt,” saying that he hides money like a hustler stashing stolen goods under a mattress, yet claims to be fighting corruption. According to Hlophe, Ramaphosa is the living and breathing embodiment of corruption itself. Hlophe asserted that under Ramaphosa’s leadership, South Africa has turned into a land of commissions with no convictions: constant talk shops designed to calm the public while the plunder continues.
Hlophe further accused Ramaphosa of ‘not’ taking decisive measures following General Mkwanazi’s revelation that exposed corruption allegations within South African Police Services (SAPS), citing that police are captured by criminal syndicates and are no longer a shield for innocent people. He also added that SAPS has become a rented army that protects drug dealers and criminal enterprises.
However, Hlophe also highlighted that there are still good officers in the SAPS who are brave enough to protect communities with integrity. He said these honest officers are being tarnished by a few corrupt top cops. “Recently, the head of Crime Intelligence and other senior officials were arrested—a sign of deep instability at the highest levels. Some even argue they were targeted for doing their jobs too well, which makes these arrests even more alarming,” he said.
The MK Party, along with other political parties and organizations, has publicly displayed their support for General Mkwanazi and all other government officials who stand for peace, justice, and the rule of law. Hlophe said they support those who expose the rot, no matter how high it goes.
Furthermore, Hlophe took a jab at the Government of National Unity (GNU), calling it a Government of National Convenience, saying it is a marriage of political opportunists who cannot agree on basic bread-and-butter issues but unite to protect their interests.
Hlophe said the MK Party would never allow the country to be auctioned off to big business and colonial masters and vowed to defend people in the rural areas and townships.
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