Photo: Yusuf Abramjee / Twitter
Photo: Yusuf Abramjee / Twitter
A fire is burning in Senekal, Free State on Tuesday – and Julius Malema’s reaction isn’t likely to quell the flames. Protesters arrived outside the courtroom earlier in the day, but the demonstrations descended into chaos when a group of farmers attempted to attack two suspects in a rural murder case.
Suspects Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa were taken to their holding cells, only for some of the farmers to storm in, and attempt to exact their own justice. Police eventually gained control of the situation. However, despite the raucous scenes and damage to property, law enforcement handled the situation delicately.
For Julius Malema, this was the wrong course of action. The outspoken EFF leader argued that the protesters were treated differently to black citizens, and took a customary jibe at President Ramaphosa:
Whites don't play; they are dealing with this clownish government of their puppet @CyrilRamaphosa. No single rubber bullet shot. Can you imagine if it was black people? pic.twitter.com/iGy1NBsrv3
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) October 6, 2020
However, those supporting the farmers aren’t exactly rushing to condemn the violent scenes witnessed earlier. A police van was torched and tipped on its side, whereas parts of the courthouse were also damaged during the fracas.
“The anger that the people have expressed here today is the result of the cruelty of the problem which simply does not stop and which is accompanied by the care-me-not-like attitude that the government takes towards farm murders.”
“But the behaviour of the supporters reflects the feeling of farmers at ground level. The irreconcilable attitude and remarks of the minister of police, Bheki Cele, against farmers add to this feeling. We are fed up and will no longer be targets.”
“The government’s attitude towards and denial of the seriousness of farm attacks are unacceptable. We hope government now realises that the chaos that could ensue if there is no active reaction would be unmanageable by the government.”