Marikana can bring a change in government – Malema

SOUTH AFRICA – Residents in Marikana near Rustenburg in the North West province must reject a capitalist government that kills people, the Economic Freedom Fighters said on Monday.

“You are Soweto. Apartheid was defeated by Soweto. Marikana can defeat black-led apartheid,” party leader Julius Malema said at Marikana West. He said what the ANC-led government did in Marikana was not different from what the apartheid regime had done in Sharpeville and Boipatong.

“We rejected the apartheid government,” Malema said. “We cannot continue to vote for a government that kill us.” He was referring to an incident in 2012 were 34 Lonmin mineworkers were killed when the police opened fire in an ill-fated attempt to disperse and disarmed them.

“If the ANC government did not order the army to kill minerworkers, the life of the 34 workers could have not been lost.” He called on his supporters to elect responsible councillors in the coming municipal election next year.

“You must stop voting for the ANC because of [Nelson] Mandela. Elderly people are voting for the ANC claiming that they vote for the organisation of Mandela. Mandela is no more, that is why you do not have water. This is not the ANC of Thabo Mbeki, it is an ANC that builds a swimming pool for its president.

“You are swimming in a pool of poverty while [Jacob] Zuma is swimming in a pool worth millions of rands. His cattle kraal is worth over a million [rand] and his wife’s spaza shops is worth R500,000,” he said to the applause of the crowd.

He took further swipes at President Jacob Zuma and his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, saying there was nothing honourable about them. “There is nothing honourable about Ramaposa. Zuma slept with his friend’s daughter. Zuma is not honourable, thank you.” Malema was in Marikana as a build-up for the party’s second anniversary rally at the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg.

Over 500 people showed up for his mini rally at an open space near the taxi rank in Marikana West. He received a hero’s welcome. His supporters chanted “Juju,Juju” when he stepped out of his car flanked by his spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlonzi, while others whistled and pushed each other to see the self-proclaimed commander-in-chief and to take cellphone pictures of the EFF leader.

EFF general secretary Godrich Gardee and MP Primrose Sonti were also in attendance. After Marikana, Malema went to visit a mineworkers’ hostel in Kroondal before proceeding to Ikemeneleng informal settlement about 10 kilometres from Rustenburg.

Over 1,000 supporters waited for him at the sports ground and they ululated and whistled when his car arrived. Youth raced each other to have a glimpse of the EFF firebrand. “Comrades, it is dark already can we reschedule for tomorrow [Tuesday] so that we can see each other. We will be here tomorrow at 3pm,” he told the crowd.

“I wanted to see him but it is dark and there are many people here. I hope tomorrow I will be able to see him,” said Sankie Mbalo. “I will make sure I occupy the front row seat so that I can see Malema,” she said, describing Malema as a brave young man. The Citizen