Malema won’t be silenced
|Published
17/09/2012 Former ANCYL President Julius Malema is being pulled to his car after he was instructed by a senior police officer to to leave Marikana as he was on his way to address striking Lonmin mine workers that were gatherd at Wonderkop stadiun in Marikana. Picture: Phill Magakoe 17/09/2012 Former ANCYL President Julius Malema is being pulled to his car after he was instructed by a senior police officer to to leave Marikana as he was on his way to address striking Lonmin mine workers that were gatherd at Wonderkop stadiun in Marikana. Picture: Phill Magakoe
Johannesburg - Expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has vowed not to allow police to investigate threats against his life.
“...that would be like inviting killers into our home,” he told reporters in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Malema claimed government, particularly the security cluster, were planning to kill or illegally arrest him.
He said he had it “on good authority” that there were instructions “to get rid of some of us”.
“The defence minister signed our death warrants.”
Malema's legal team would look into it.
An outspoken and defiant Malema said he would not be silenced.
He promised to continue fighting for the poor, especially miners who worked in dangerous conditions and were treated like slaves.
“I have nothing to hide... I only have my convictions. Nothing will stop me from fighting for economic freedom, not even my death... We are unshaken,” Malema said.
“Since our expulsion from the ANC, we have been on the ground...”
Malema said his lawyers were planning legal action against police for preventing him from entering the Wonderkop stadium in Marikana on Monday to address workers.
Workers were at the stadium to receive feedback on wage negotiations.
Malema claimed police threatened to kill him when he tried to enter.
“Police threatened to isolate us and kill us... They pushed us out against our will... even though we were invited there to speak.”
Malema said his car was in a convoy of four at the stadium.
The first two cars entered, after which Malema's car was stopped and searched.
Malema left his car and tried to walk to the meeting, but was prevented from doing so.
He said he was chased out and police threatened to shoot him. He then left.
“What was even more disturbing was that the chopper followed me all the way to Pretoria.
“It was on top of my vehicle... That is taxpayers' money,” he said.
Malema criticised the National Prosecuting Authority, several ministers and some unions for steps that were not taken in the aftermath of the shooting.
He said police and civilians should have been disarmed, and police should have been arrested for shooting the miners.
He questioned why 1000 soldiers had been deployed to Marikana when it was not necessary.
Wearing an ANC t-shirt, Malema wanted to know what an “illegal gathering” was, and said rural villages and ANC branches often held meetings in open fields without permits.
Malema believed people had the wrong idea about him.
“We are not dangerous people. We are peace-loving people. We are not a threat to anyone... Sometimes we just engage... robustly.
“We are not a rebellious group... We will never lead violence. We will lead a political onslaught against political thugs.”
Malema said he did not want to lead a violent coup, but rather “through political means”.
He attacked President Jacob Zuma and implied that he was not worthy to hold office.
When Zuma took office, he militarised the police “like all dictators”, said Malema.
“Jacob Zuma is a liability to South Africa and the ANC. Like all dictators, he only concentrates on his village Nkandla.”
Malema warned that Zuma was only interested in his family, and would plunge the country into a “deeper crisis.”
“It's not about a person who sings beautifully and dances nicely.
“Zuma is highly compromised... He has got no capacity... maybe in cultural activities...”
He said Zuma was a divisive leader who believed in conspiracies.
“He is also too old. He must rest. He is getting older by the day.”
Malema regretted supporting Zuma and letting him take office.
“Zuma should go, as in yesterday. He must leave office. He was a terrible mistake. We regret the mistake.
“Jacob Zuma is forever threatened by our presence.”
Malema wanted Zuma to tender his resignation on December 23 in Mangaung, where the ANC elective conference is to take place.
“We cannot allow him in office 'til 2014. We cannot allow the (national executive committee) to extend trauma to 2014.
“If we lose in Mangaung, then I will apply to join the ANC as a new member.”
He said that if his application was declined, he would take it to court to find out why he was being discriminated against.
Zuma told Parliament last week that action would be taken against those suspected of inciting violence.
Prior to this, Malema told striking miners at Gold Fields, near Carletonville, not to return to work until their demands were met.
He also called for a national strike once a week, every month.
Workers at Lonmin's Marikana mine downed tools last month, demanding a R12,500 wage increase.
Malema denied inciting violence at the mines, and accused Zuma and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe of being “compromised”.
Radebe had also said that incitement to violence would not be tolerated.
Explaining his position in politics, Malema said until the ANCYL appointed a new leader, he remained its leader.
“We remain leaders in the youth league until 2014, when they elect new leaders. We will introduce ourselves as such until it is taken away.
“We have occupied the political space.”
Malema was accompanied by suspended ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu and secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. - Sapa