EFF Julius Malema

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 31, 2017: Julius Malema (President of EFF) during the National Assembly meeting on August 31, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Julius Malema: DA must be punished for “racist behaviour in parliament”

“I think [the] DA should be punished for their racist behaviour in parliament yesterday by taking one metro away from them.” – Julius Malema

EFF Julius Malema

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 31, 2017: Julius Malema (President of EFF) during the National Assembly meeting on August 31, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Julius Malema has hit back at the Democratic Alliance (DA) following the chaos which occurred in parliament on Tuesday.

If the disrepute marring parliamentary proceedings wasn’t so serious, it would be funny. Unfortunately, the disorder witnessed during the National Assembly on Tuesday is a grotesque reflection of South Africa’s current state of affairs.

The parliamentary hearing, which was supposed to encourage progressive and inclusive debate, descended into an all-familiar malaise of name-calling, race-baiting and general disrespectful engagement.

While this has become a common sight, largely thanks to the growing influence of political provocateurs, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Tuesday’s event surpassed previous transgressions by devolving into fisticuffs. When elected representatives choose to engage physically, rather than intellectually, it’s a sad sign of the times.

Julius Malema versus everybody

During the fracas, Malema, the firebrand leader of the red berets, took exception to remarks made by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) John Steenhuisen. In reference to the EFF’s alleged connection to the VBS Bank Heist, attributed to the controversy surrounding Floyd Shivambu and his brother Brian, Steenhuisen heckled Malema, saying:

“Can the VBS Bank looter please give me a chance [to speak]”

Malema retorted by calling Steenhuisen a racist and an alleged rapist, saying:

“You are not going to call me a VBS looter, you racist young white man who was accused of rape.”

Following this, the scene deteriorated dramatically. Shouts of “racists” and “pay back the money” where chanted by both political party members. At one point, Malema said that “the white man must not speak in the [parliamentary] house”.

This statement particularly upset Andries Tlouamma of Agang. Upon voicing his disapproval of Malema’s utterances, EFF member Nazier Paulsen leapt over seats and charged down Tlouamma. Although the physical confrontation didn’t turn out to be the envy of world-class boxers, the fact that parliament was allowed to descend into such chaos will surely remain as a stain on its mandate to enforce orderly debate.

Julius Malema says the EFF will punish the Democratic Alliance

Malema, known for his inability to let bygones be bygones, took to Twitter on Wednesday to issue a threat to the DA following the parliamentary scuffle, saying:

“I think [the] DA should be punished for their racist behaviour in parliament yesterday by taking one metro away from them.”

Tensions between the DA and EFF have heightened in recent months, particularly with regards to the uneasy political coalitions forged to govern ‘undecided’ metros across the country.

In September, DA executive Athol Trollip was removed from his position as mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, following protracted political battles with the EFF. The red berets initiated the motion of no-confidence.

The EFF is also gunning for Solly Msimanga, the Executive Mayor of Tshwane and DA deployee. Luckily for Msimanga, he has managed to escape numerous motions of no confidence to hold onto his seat.

This latest threat from Malema seems to signify a redoubling of efforts aimed at removing the DA from power in one other metro.