Presidential Imbizo: Ramaphosa to answer SA's questions on Covid-19

- President Cyril Ramaphosa will be hosting a family meeting of a different kind on Wednesday evening

- The Presidential Imbizo on Coronavirus will see Ramaphosa engaging with the public

- Citizens have been urged to submit any questions they would like to ask the nation's leader via this forum

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President Cyril Ramaphosa's family meeting on Wednesday evening will give citizens the opportunity to directly engage with the politician.

In a statement issued by the presidency on Wednesday afternoon, it was revealed that Ramaphosa plans to 'interact with communities across the nation through a virtual Presidential Imbizo on Coronavirus'.

Explaining what this would entail, the Presidency revealed that the aim was to seek out solutions to the current crisis directly from communities:

"The Presidential Imbizo is a public-participation platform where communities are able to interact directly with government on challenges in society and where citizens are able to engage on community-generated solutions to such challenges."

While Covid-19 prevents direct engagement over this issue, the virtual engagement sees communities invited to participate through radio stations, TV channels and social media using #PresidentialImbizo.

READ ALSO: Abramjee: Smoking ban is government giving criminals blank cheque

Questions for Ramaphosa are already streaming in with the hashtag trending on social media.

Tax Justice SA founder Yusuf Abramjee wasted no time in questioning the tobacco ban:

"Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa, why is the government continuing to make criminals rich through the cigarette ban? They are making millions and the illicit trade is flourishing. It’s time to lift the ban!"

Briefly.co.za reported that Abramjee had lamented the fact that illicit trade in tobacco products is essentially robbing the nation of much-needed tax revenue.

Another user questioned the restrictions preventing citizens from visiting family and friends:

"Why can we not visit our families and friends and make sure they fine? I can go to a restaurant, movies, casino, a hotel, to church, all areas which have more than 40 people but I cannot go visit family or friends in their homes?"

Another citizen wanted to know why students were not offered relief amid the pandemic:

"Dear Mr President, I am a final-year law student UNISA and on behalf of my fellow students, I’d like to know why we paying students aren’t offered any relief with regards to payment of fees for the semester. Why only focus on NSFAS beneficiaries?"

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Source: Briefly News