Julius Malema EFF Black

Photo: EFF / Twitter

‘Being black in South Africa is a criminal act’, EFF claim

The EFF usually save their strongest statements for our public holidays – and their claims about ‘black lives’ on Human Rights Day will turn a few heads.

Julius Malema EFF Black

Photo: EFF / Twitter

A party used to going against the grain has not changed the habit of a lifetime for Human Rights Day: The EFF scoffed at celebrations on Sunday, disputing the notion that South Africa offers a fair chance for all, some 27 years into democracy.

Huma Rights Day by any other name…

The Red Berets are even refusing to call it Human Rights Day, preferring ‘Sharpeville Massacre Day’ instead. The brutal uprising, and heavy-handed police response, is seen as a ‘turning point’ in the battle against apartheid rule. However, since that fateful day, the EFF leadership is wholly unconvinced that much has changed in South Africa under the ANC.

The political organisation released a statement on Sunday, questioning why black citizens ‘still live in shacks on top of each other’. As per usual, they made their opposition to ‘white minority rule’ loud and clear – but went another step further when breaking down the realities of life for millions of impoverished South Africans.

EFF allege ‘being black is criminal’ in South Africa

In a contentious bit of rhetoric, the EFF state clearly that they perceive being black ‘as a crime in South Africa’, due to the parallels in wealth and well-being. They have slammed the ANC for showing ‘intolerance and brutality’ to those in poverty.

“We observe that the conditions of black people have not changed materially since the dark days of apartheid. The economy remains in the hands of a few white people, while black people languish in poverty and underdevelopment.”

“The ruling party continues to show its intolerance and brutality. Black citizens remain in shacks living on top of one another, unemployed, and subject to crime. in all metrics, being black in South Africa is outside the realm of humanity. The colour of black skin is unconstitutional and criminal. The life of a black child is cheap and disposable here.”

You can read the full statement here