Following reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to engage with the Johannesburg City Council regarding the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of parliament Carl Niehaus has launched a scathing attack on the president.
Niehaus did not hold back in his criticism, labeling Ramaphosa as weak and indecisive. “Under Cyril Ramaphosa, things are deteriorating daily. This man embodies cowardice in every aspect of leadership—he has no backbone whatsoever,” Niehaus declared.
The controversy stems from the City of Johannesburg’s decision to rename the prominent Sandton Drive after Leila Khaled, a Palestinian activist known for her involvement in airplane hijackings during the 1970s. The move has sparked heated debate, with some praising it as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, while others condemn it as glorifying violence.
Reports suggest Ramaphosa intends to intervene, a move some interpret as an attempt to appease international and business interests—particularly given Sandton’s status as Africa’s financial hub. However, the EFF, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, has criticized the president for refusing to take a firm stance on the matter.
EFF leaders argue that the renaming aligns with South Africa’s broader position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and accuse Ramaphosa of capitulating to Western and Israeli pressure.
The African National Congress (ANC) has yet to formally respond to the EFF’s criticism. However, political analysts warn that the renaming could carry significant political and economic consequences.
As the debate continues, it remains unclear whether Ramaphosa will intervene to mediate or allow the renaming to proceed without obstruction.