By Mr Lee
As the Liberation Movement Summit 2025 draws closer, the African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) has issued a strong call to President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging him to urgently address mounting frustrations facing South African citizens and growing instability across the SADC region.
In a statement released by AUBBTA Chairperson Mr. Mukhwathi Phumudzo, the association raised serious concerns about issues affecting the country’s borders, healthcare system, and regional diplomacy.
“South African citizens are being left vulnerable to criminal syndicates, corruption at border posts, and increasing violence in the transport sector due to the employment of undocumented foreign drivers,” said Phumudzo.
He highlighted that South African public healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, partly due to foreign nationals receiving services without accountability, while local citizens are being denied adequate care. The high cost of passport applications was also raised as a barrier for law-abiding South Africans who need to travel or conduct cross-border business.
AUBBTA also voiced suspicion that some South African politicians have personal business interests in neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique, including in mining and natural resources. This, the association argues, is one of the reasons behind the government’s failure to take decisive action against undemocratic regimes in the region.
“It is an insult for the Zimbabwean government to refer to South Africa as ‘ a banana republic’ while refusing to pay for the healthcare of its citizens,” said Phumudzo. “This disrespect, combined with silence from our own leaders, adds fuel to public anger.”
The association warned that if these issues are not urgently addressed, they could trigger widespread xenophobic violence, mob justice, and civil unrest.
“Foreign nationals must stop provoking South African citizens through acts of violence. The situation is tense, and any spark could cause an explosion,” he cautioned.
Phumudzo urged President Ramaphosa to use the summit as a platform to speak out against dictatorship, corruption, and human rights abuses within the region. He said the liberation ideals that once united African nations are being betrayed by leaders more focused on self-enrichment than public service.
“Millions fought and died for freedom, democracy, and justice. Today, the reality is the opposite. Citizens continue to suffer under the same oppression—just in a different form,” said Phumudzo.
The AUBBTA believes that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional integration will never succeed unless there is peace, accountability, and mutual respect among all SADC member states.
