Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Julius Malema walks away after casting his vote at a polling station in the Sheshego township on the outskirts of Polokwane on 8 May 2019. South Africans began voting today in national elections which the ruling ANC, in power since 1994, is favourite to win despite corruption scandals, sluggish economic growth and record unemployment. The ANC has won all the past five elections, but today’s vote is set to be an electoral test on whether the party has staunched a decline in popularity. Photo: AFP/Guillem Sartorio
“They said let’s meet in the streets, let’s go” – Julius Malema responds to SACP challenge
Julius Malema came out defiantly in support of the Public Protector and her office, threatening to meet the SACP in the streets on Tuesday.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Julius Malema walks away after casting his vote at a polling station in the Sheshego township on the outskirts of Polokwane on 8 May 2019. South Africans began voting today in national elections which the ruling ANC, in power since 1994, is favourite to win despite corruption scandals, sluggish economic growth and record unemployment. The ANC has won all the past five elections, but today’s vote is set to be an electoral test on whether the party has staunched a decline in popularity. Photo: AFP/Guillem Sartorio
Julius Malema has labelled Pravin Gordhan and his supporters as worse than Jacob Zuma. He briefed the media today in response to the SACP’s plan to protest regarding the SARS alleged “rogue unit”.
Malema came out defiantly in support of the Public Protector and her office. He threatened to meet the SACP in the streets on Tuesday and said:
“We are in Pretoria on Tuesday, they said let’s meet in the streets, let’s go. Solly Mapaila has got no capacity to organise anything. He is a coward, and we will never be shaken by him. We want him with his boss Blade, Johan Rupert and Jamnadas (Pravin Gordhan).”
Framing the EFF’s as protectors of the interests of the people, Malema called on the public protector to continue her fight against what he called the state capture fightback.
Malema feels that action and respect is needed
He acknowledged that though they had defended Gordhan in the past, the fact that the public protector had made a finding against him meant that action was needed.
Malema also called for respect to be given to the office of the public protector:
“[If] we are not going to protect it then we might as well close it because it’s remedial actions are not binding, they are overlooked, and people can pretend to not understand what is expected of them”.
Malema and the EFF won’t be deterred
Furthermore, he took issue with the fact that Gordhan and President Ramaphosa have taken to the courts to challenge the findings of the public protector.
In addition, the leader of the EFF drew comparisons with former President Jacob Zuma. Malema pointed out that for all of their problems with him, Zuma had never mobilised groups in protest of a finding by the Public Protector.
Malema assured citizens that they “will be heard at the High Court on Tuesday”. In addition, Malema called all EFF fighters “to come in their numbers.”
“Anyone who doesn’t like it can have a nice cup of tea at home because there’s nothing they can do about it.”
“Don’t hide behind the race card”
Moreover, Malema also reitiretated that “it’s not about Indians”, and that he doesn’t have a problem with Indian people. He said:
“It’s not about Indians. Zuma, Gigaba, Nene we’re not Indians. We have gone after Africans who’ve violated the constitution. It’s not about race. Don’t violate the constitution and hide behind the race card.”
He also added that the EFF’s Secretary-General – Mr Godrich Gardee – is Indian, and asked:
“So why would we be anti-Indian? It means Godrich is anti-himself. It doesn’t make sense at all.”
Watch: Julius Malema addressing the media
Also read – SACP: State capture networks designed to cripple democracy
