A recent Twitter hashtag was trending on Friday. The #JohnSpeaksForMe hashtag on Twitter comes after the DA leader participated in an interview that was spread widely on Twitter. The DA leader said in the interview that South Africans want to get back to work and the country reopened.
EFF Commissar, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said on Twitter: “I see #JohnSpeaksForMe is trending. But Baas John did not actually speak… he shouted in empty noises when asked which South Africans?”.
I see #JohnSpeaksForMe is trending. But Baas John did not actually speak… he shouted in empty noises when asked #WhichSouthAfricans? Here is proof: pic.twitter.com/vUSKdPwCR2
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) May 15, 2020
Floyd Shivambu said “You can see the white supremacy, racism and irritation in the attitude, tone and response of little John when trapped in his own lies. He’s speaking on behalf of the white capitalist establishment and too shy to say it. Trapped like a wizard at night.”
You can see the white supremacy, racism and irritation in the attitude, tone and response of little John when trapped in his own lies. He’s speaking on behalf of the white capitalist establishment and too shy to say it. Trapped like a wizard at night. pic.twitter.com/MgMEcEHS94
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) May 14, 2020
While most of the EFF had plenty to say regarding the interview, majority of Tweets regarding the lockdown were in the favour of DA leader, John Steenhuisen.
What others are saying?
I'm black and #JohnSpeaksForMe
— lil young one (@polaroidpapikie) May 15, 2020
I got dreams I need to accomplish here guys….its get rich or die trying, dont get it twisted
My family is struggling. Our business has been closed since lockdown started. My sister who doesn't earn much is now the breadwinner and our employees are suffering. So Yes @jsteenhuisen also speaks for me. #JohnSpeaksForMe
— IG: BOBZIN_SA (@Bobzin_Mohlabi) May 15, 2020
I’m not a DA member but #JohnSpeaksForMe. I’ve campaigned and voted for the ANC since my student days. I’m a breadwinner yet I last got paid end of March. Cde Ramaphosa didn’t think this through. Let’s not make this about politics, Steenhuisen is right. We’re suffering 😔
— lwazi (@LwaziHeART) May 15, 2020
Fake accounts have been deployed by the radical identitarians to drive an alternative trend “John Does Not Speak for Me”
— Neo Mkwane (@realNeoM) May 15, 2020
We all know who’s behind it.
They won’t fool us with their bots nor will they deter us from realizing our rights and civil liberties. #JohnSpeaksForMe pic.twitter.com/7Cn555KKx9
The Democratic Alliance has been advocating for the reopening of the economy and lifting the ban on cigarettes and alcohol sales in the country.
Both the DA and the FF Plus will appeal to the High Court in Pretoria to have the constitutionality of the Disaster Management Act tested.
Lawyers have also questioned the validity of the National Command Board and threatened with legal action.
The presidency defended the council, saying it is a coordinating structure of the cabinet, the same as an inter-ministerial committee.
“This is an extremely important issue because it is about one of the most crucial principles of our democracy – the separation of powers,” Steenhuisen said in a video message.