The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had blows coming in from all angles on social media after he posted his tribute for the award-winning South African Afro-pop star, Zahara – real name Bulelwa Mkutukana who died on Monday, 11 December – social media users came in guns glazing in the comment section, criticising the President’s tribute and demanded him to do more.

Zahara passed away at 36 years earlier this week, just weeks following a family statement that revealed she was admitted to hospital. The beloved musician was hospitalised, reportedly with liver complications, BBC reported. According to the publication, in 2019, she had also opened up about her battle with alcohol addiction.

A family statement posted on social media on Tuesday, 12 December revealed that Zahara died on Monday.

“We Mourn the Passing of Zahara. It is with heavy hearts and deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend, Zahara… She was a pure light, and an even purer heart, in this world… a gift, and a blessing to us and countless people around the world,” the statement read.

Cyril Ramaphosa has since paid tribute to the late star as seen in a short clip posted on his timeliness, however, South Africans have not received his tribute with open arms. Instead, they questioned how genuine his tribute was and demanded him to give her a state funeral.