The Apartheid Museum reminds visitors daily why violence pays
Shots were fired at protesters at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday, police said.
“A shooting did take place at the Union Buildings where some people were injured,” said police spokesperson Tsekiso Mofokeng.
No further details were immediately available.
Mofokeng was responding to a statement by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng condemning “the shooting of Mooiplaas Community, who were in a process of a peaceful demonstration in Union Building [sic]”.
“Four of the EFF members are arrested while others shot and injured are in hospital,” said Gauteng spokesperson Patrick Sindane.
Mofokeng said he would have more information later in the afternoon. – Sapa
Traffic will be diverted in Newtown on Friday during a protest march by members of the Economic Freedom Fighters against e-tolls, Johannesburg metro police said.
Spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the protest would start from Mary Fitzgerald Square at 10am.
“They will proceed up Bree Street, turn right into Simmonds Street up to the office of the premier where a memorandum will be handed over,” he said.
“They will return to Mary Fitzgerald Square along Fox Street and Miriam Makeba Street. The march should be over by 1pm and we are expecting about 2000 marchers.”
On Wednesday, the EFF in Gauteng said the implementation of e-tolling would rob Gauteng residents of their hard-earned money.
The EFF called on citizens, civil society and anyone opposed to e-tolling to reject the system, as it represented a “systematic and well planned robbery by the [President Jacob] Zuma-led African [National Congress] government”.
A legal challenge to e-tolling by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeal on October 9.
Outa announced on October 18 it did not have money to continue the legal fight against e-tolling. Outa’s argument remained that the SA National Roads Agency Ltd and government did not conduct a proper public participation process. – Sapa
Diepsloot, a black township north of Johannesburg.
Some Diepsloot residents angered by the killing of two children vowed on Friday to vote for the Economic Freedom Fighters in general elections next year.
“In other countries if you kill you get killed, but in South Africa you are awarded with a comfortable life in prison. You eat healthy food and you have a television,” said Reneilwe Mokwena, 34, a mother of four.
Another mother, Darksha Fenyane, 36, said the two of them would be voting for the EFF, saying President Jacob Zuma had let them down.
“We voted for him not knowing he is like this. He must not come here because we will hurt him,” said Fenyane.
The bodies of two-year-old Yonelisa Mali and her cousin Zandile Mali, three, were found on Tuesday. They were reported missing at the weekend.
Four men appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of rape and murder. The case was postponed to Thursday for the men to apply for Legal Aid.
A fifth man, who was arrested early Friday morning in Alexandra, would appear in the court on Monday.
Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane urged Diepsloot residents to support the family of the two toddlers.
“This is something that must never happen to anybody’s child,” she said outside the family’s home in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg.
She said police received information which helped them make the arrests.
“What has happened today [Friday] in Diepsloot is a demonstration that community and police relationship are very important. Their partnership can go a long way.
“Now that the suspect has been arrested let’s all rally behind the family give them the necessary support. Give the mothers space to grieve the loss of their children so that they can find closure.”
She told reporters the family was thankful and looking forward to a swift prosecution of the perpetrators.
Earlier, residents gathered outside the police station to protest about the murders. They demanded that police release the fifth man so they could burn him.
Police were in the area as Economic Freedom Fighters supporters and African National Congress supporters clashed. EFF supporters accused ANC supporters of beating them. – Sapa
Hundreds of Economic Freedom Fighters braved the scorching sun for the launch of their party at the Nkaneng informal settlement in Marikana, North West on Sunday.
Members dressed in red berets and T-shirts sat on top of a hill while others sat on the grey clay soil around the stage.
Speaking at the launch, EFF leader Julius Malema said a giant had been born.
“A different baby is born today, a giant… A child that walks immediately. The baby that fights for your living wage. You must be afraid of that child.”
He said the EFF was a home for orphans.
“This is the home for the hopeless,” he said to the applause of the crowd.
He said the EFF was not afraid of confronting white bosses for not paying workers and abusing them.
“You must fight these abuses whether Julius Malema is there or not… You must be a Malema at your workplace.”
He said the police should take off their uniform when instructed to kill innocent people.
“Give them their uniforms and weapons. Tell them you do not want a salary with blood on it.” He was referring to the shooting of 34 mineworkers in Marikana in August last year.
Malema called on teachers to teach pupils first and go on a strike after school.
“When you strike after school the children will join you,” he said.
He told the crowd that the land of South Africa belonged to the landless.
“This is your land. You (the landless) do not have to pay for the land. It has been already paid by the sweat of your fathers.”
He said white South Africans were still refusing to hand over the land they had “inherited through theft”.
“Till today they (whites) are not ashamed of killing our people. They want us to kneel before them.
“We are not going to do that. We are not going to beg for the land. Bring back the land.”
He told the crowd to vote for a real president and not a dancer.
“Refuse to vote for a singer and dancer. We want a thinker to drive the policy of our country.
“We do not want an old man who dances like a teenager. Everytime he dances older people look down with shame,” he said.
The crowd responded by waving their hand in a circle, indicating need for a change.
“We must restore the image of South Africa.”
Malema apologised to South Africans for having Jacob Zuma as president.
“I apologise for giving you a mediocre non-thinker and non-reader.
“We must vote for statesmen, we must vote for the restoration of the image of South Africa.”
Malema vowed to make the Gupta family pay for embarrassing the country, including with their controversial landing of a plane at the Waterkloof Air Force Base.
He said the day EFF took power they would “be punished” for all their “wrongs”.
He concluded his speech by singing the controversial “Shoot the boer” song.
The crowd shouted “Juju! Juju!” after he had spoken. – Sowetan
The land of South Africa belongs to the landless, EFF leader Julius Malema said on Sunday.
“This is your land. You (the landless) do not have to pay for the land. It has been already paid by the sweat of your fathers,” he said at the launch in Marikana, North West, of his political party. the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
He said white South Africans were still refusing to hand over the land they inherited through theft.
“Till today they (whites) are not ashamed of killing of our people. They want us to kneel before them.
“We are not going to do that. We are not going to beg for the land. Bring back the land.”
Malema said that when the rich shared with the poor there would be no crime.
“If you share with the poor there will be no need to build high walls at your home.” – Sapa
Dr Mamphela Ramphele luring away EFF members with money
The Economic Freedom Fighters claims Agang SA has lured its members to defect after Agang welcomed more than 100 former EFF members.
Agang SA lured members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng to defect with promises that they would be paid, the EFF claimed on Wednesday.
“We are … aware that many of them defected because they were promised payments for the work they will do in Agang SA,” EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.
He was responding to an Agang SA press conference on Wednesday, when it welcomed more than 100 former EFF members.
“This means they were bought by [Agang leader] Dr Mamphela Ramphele with the money she got from the sweat and blood of mineworkers and our mineral resources,” he said, referring to her shareholdings in mining companies.
Agang could not immediately be reached to comment on the claim.
Ndlozi said the defectors represented less than 1% of the EFF’s Gauteng support base.
‘Attention-seeking’ party
“Indeed, many people will from time to time, particularly in a democratic society, move from party to party. Thus, we wish all those who left a farewell,” he said.
Ndlozi said the EFF had not drawn attention to the members it had recruited from other parties as it was not an “attention-seeking” party.
“The EFF is only going to its third month since it formed as a mass party, and it already boasts with programmes that have gained popularity with the popular classes.”
Earlier, Agang SA said in a statement that more than a 100 EFF members had defected to the party.
Former Gauteng EFF convenor Pule Matshitshe said the defectors believed Ramphele could change South Africa for the better.
“We trust Dr Ramphele to lead our country and we trust Agang SA to tackle corruption, poverty, and inequality,” he said.
“We are proud to become members of Agang SA and we urge all young and right-minded people across the country to join the party.”
New recruits
Former EFF Gauteng co-ordinator Nozi Poswayo and 15 other key members of the EFF’s Gauteng structures were among those who joined Agang SA.
Agang SA political director Moeketsi Mosola welcomed the new members and said his party was going “from strength to strength”.
“Young people across the country respect Dr Ramphele’s integrity and life-long fight for freedom. People from all walks of life see that Agang SA is the only non-racial home for all South Africans.”
Mosola said the new members would be expected to work hard in their structures.
The new recruits made a declaration of allegiance to Ramphele and Agang SA. – Sapa
EFF leader Julius Malema was wrong to say that the ANC-led government is worse than the apartheid government, DA spokesman Mmusi Maimane said on Monday.
“You may have heard Julius Malema saying over the weekend that the ANC is worse than apartheid. It is wrong to create this impression among South Africans,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery.
“Apartheid was worse because it was a system of entrenched racism. Apartheid was worse because we couldn’t vote out apartheid. In fact, we couldn’t vote at all.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters’ leader said at the rally in Lethabong near Rustenburg, North West, on Saturday that black people would never own land under the African National Congress.
“Our struggle is about land. [Former president Nelson] Mandela was arrested for demanding land,” Malema said.
Maimane said “the sacrifice that so many made for our freedom” had to be remembered.
“Like so many others where I grew up, I used to be an ANC supporter. I believed that the ANC could bring about a better life for me and my family,” he said.
“Since then I have seen how that once proud movement has lost its way under the current leadership.”
He said apartheid was forced on the people against their will, while the ANC was “not compulsory”.
“The ANC is a political party in a democracy. We can vote for another party if we feel let down by the one in power.” – Sapa
Hate speech, a policy based on racism and an economic policy of nationalisation clash with the letter and spirit of the South African Constitution and the Freedom Front Plus has in the light of this, lodged its strong objection with the Independent Electoral Commission to the registration of Julius Malema’s political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters.
According to Mr. Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus’ chairperson, a strongly worded letter about this matter was sent to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in which the commission has been requested to decline the application of Malema on constitutional grounds. Individuals and parties had until the end of last week had the opportunity to object to the registration.
“The EFF propagates the nationalisation of land, mines, banks and other assets without compensation and in particular on a racial basis. It is unconstitutional.
“Malema is already been found guilty in the High Court of South Africa of hate speech about the singing of the controversial song ‘Shoot the Boer’ which has subsequently been declared to be hate speech.
“With the singing of the song, Malema created race polarisation and incited emotions against a specific race and ethnic group, which is unconstitutional.
“To date, Malema as the leader of EFF has not shown any remorse. The FF Plus believes that he will continue with his unconstitutional actions and that he will abuse his party as a vehicle for similar discriminating actions and policy directions.
“In addition, the word ‘fighters’ is not suitable for a democratic system where political parties compete in elections in an orderly and democratic fashion. Section 16 of the Electoral Commission Act, states it clearly that any name or abbreviation which portrays the propagation or incitement of violence or hatred, is not acceptable,” Mr. Groenewald said.
A further request was also directed to the IEC in which the FF Plus objects to the English abbreviations of the name of the EFF, as it could lead to confusion amongst the public.
Mr. Groenewald said the FF Plus has already experienced that there is confusion on amongst others, social media networks.
“The FF Plus will in this regard be submitting the necessary proof to the IEC should it be necessary. About the issue of the name, we expect a thorough explanation from the IEC about its decision.
“To date the FF Plus is the only party which is opposing the registration of Malema’s party. We do not doubt for one minute that it is unconstitutional and the IEC will indeed neglect its mandate if the registration of the EFF is approved,” Mr. Groenewald said.
Newly formed South African political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) yesterday called on Zimbabweans to vote overwhelmingly for Zanu-PF in the July 31 harmonised elections to protect the gains of the war of liberation.The EFF party is led by former ANC youth league leader Julius Malema.
“The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calls upon the revolutionary people of Zimbabwe to defend the Zimbabwean revolution by voting for Zanu-PF and retaining comrade Robert Mugabe as the President of that liberated nation,” the party said in a statement.
“The gains of the Zimbabwean revolution must be defended.
“These gains find concrete expression in the historic and unparalleled land redistribution programme that took land from 4 000 white settler farmers who owed 80 percent of Zimbabwean land, and redistributed it to more than 274 000 Zimbabweans! It is your victory. Defend it by any means necessary!”
The EFF said Zimbabweans stood to benefit economically by retaining a Zanu-PF government which has over the years implemented pro-poor policies aimed at uplifting the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.
The party saluted Zimbabweans for enduring and surviving a brutal and illegal economic sanctions embargo imposed by the West as punishment for returning the stolen land to its rightful owners.
“The people of Zimbabwe have been punished as a strategy to separate the people from the revolutionary leadership of Zanu-PF and leadership of President Mugabe. We say do not allow the schemes of the enemies of Africa to succeed. Vote for liberation! Vote Zanu-PF!
“We implore the people Zimbabwe to realise that the Zimbabwean revolution is still under massive attacks and new plots are being hatched and new schemes cooked to reverse the gains you have made.
“The demonisation of Zanu-PF and comrade Mugabe is part of the plot to divide the nation for re-colonisation,” it said.
The EFF also called on Zanu-PF to continue implementing the indigenisation programme in order to complete the economic emancipation of the black majority. – The Herald
The Economic Freedom Fighters will advocate the integration of Africa by eliminating national borders, according to its founding manifesto.
The “protest movement”, led by Julius Malema, said the borders between African countries were “unnecessary”, especially those between South Africa and Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
“The EFF will … advocate for the ultimate integration of the African continent through the erosion and eventual elimination of unnecessary borders, which, in the case of South Africa will entail the Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland borders in a manner that involves and includes the participation and approval of those countries,” it said in its manifesto.
“This will also be encouraged in other parts of the African continent.”
This formed part of the EFF’s policy on “progressive internationalism”.
The EFF said it would also advocate for free trade across the continent.
On immigration, the movement committed itself to taking up the struggle of all immigrants, whether they were in South Africa legally or illegally. It said immigrants should be guaranteed basic rights when they were in the country.
‘Access to health … education’
“Certain basic rights cannot be denied to any human being who is in South Africa, whether they are in possession of certain documents or not.
“Basic rights that should be guaranteed include access to health, access to education for children, protection from super-exploitation by employers, and access to burial rights in South Africa.”
The process of applying for citizenship should not be complicated.
The EFF is holding a conference in Soweto on Friday and Saturday to work out its policies and manifesto. – Sapa
The SA Reserve Bank must be owned by the state in order to serve the interest of South Africans, the EFF said.
“The general practise in the world is that governments own their reserve bank. South Africa is one of the two if not three that do not own their own reserve bank,” said Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.
“It [Reserve Bank] regulates the interest rates and once that is in the state ownership it will be regulated to the benefit of the people, so that our people can afford to buy houses and cars without having to pay high interest.”
Malema spoke to Sapa on the sidelines of an EFF consultative forum held in Johannesburg.
The members discussed principles on which the party’s policies would be based.
One of the priorities discussed during the plenary sessions was land ownership.
Malema said the party was clear on what would be the final policy of the organisation.
“The land issue is a national crisis. Our people have waited for the transfer of land for the past 20 years. The ANC has promised that it will deliver 30 percent of the land by 2014, but it has only delivered eight percent,” he said.
“The majority of our people don’t have the land, to own the means of production for the development of this country.”
He said the position of the EFF on land ownership would be part of the party’s priorities in its manifesto.
“The position is that we are expropriating without compensation. We want that to be an act [of law], and before it becomes an act, our people should begin the process of occupying the land,” he said.
Malema said the state would have to resolve the dispute with the owners of the private land which will be occupied.
“But our people don’t have to be evicted. They [government] must stop evicting people who occupy the land.”
EFF also wanted a full audit of who owned the land and for what purpose it was being used.
“We need to know who owns the land and what are they using it for. There is a lot of abundant land which has been fenced and is not being used for anything. We want to use that land for production and creation of jobs in South Africa,” Malema said.
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi national spokesman of the EFF said the consultative process was the beginning of policy discussion for the party.
“This was a national consultative forum which started policy conversations for the national assembly which is taking place next week,” he said.
The national assembly would be made up of representatives from all the regions and provinces, and it would conclude its EFF policy discussions next weekend.
Other policy issues discussed at the consultative forum held on Saturday were education, health, corruption and economic transformation. – Sapa
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will become the new ruling party in South Africa, leader Julius Malema said on Saturday.
“We are going to take this government and once we take it, we are not going to negotiate, we are going to take our land,” he said at an EFF rally in Sebokeng, south of Johannesburg.
“We are going to take it because its our land.”
He told a cheering crowd that he would not be intimidated by anyone.
“They will say all sorts of things about us, but they will never shake us,” he said.
“If they want to disrupt our meetings, we are waiting.”
Malema urged residents not to be scared.
“We must never be intimidated. We all have a right to be involved in politics.”
He told residents that the EFF was there to defend them.
“There is no one who is going to tell us this is a no-go area. We can go anywhere in South Africa,” he said.
“There is no one who’s going to take your pension. We are here to defend you.”
Malema was at the rally with businessman Kenny Kunene, and expelled ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu.
He said earlier that the African National Congress needed Jesus to return to earth, because the party had become arrogant.
“They [said they] were going to rule until Jesus comes back. What kind of statement is that?” he asked.
“They need Jesus. So Jesus has come back they must go out. They are not the Alpha and Omega”.
He said the people of the country were the “Alpha and Omega”.
“You must exercise power. We can take over this government,” Malema said.
In March 2009 President Jacob Zuma told African National Congress supporters in Mpumalanga that the party would rule until Jesus returned.
Malema, who previously held the position of ANC Youth League president, was expelled from the party in 2012.
He launched the EFF “protest movement” on Thursday.
He said at the time that the EFF had a plan that included the non-negotiable principles of land expropriation and nationalisation of mines, both without compensation.
It was also strongly opposed to foreign land ownership.
“[There will] never be foreign ownership of land, that is what we will do when we take over.”
Malema warned South Africans on Thursday to prepare for the sacrifices that would come with the EFF’s envisaged revolution.
“There will be a day [when] we will wake up without bread on the shelves. We will learn to make our own bread.”
He said the EFF would have firm anti-corruption policies.
Malema is facing corruption charges in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
He is accused of making nearly R4-million from corrupt activities. He is out on bail of R10,000 and faces charges of fraud, corruption, money-laundering, and racketeering. – Sapa
Black consciousness proponent Andile Mngxitama is in talks with Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for a possible coalition ahead of next year’s general elections.
But he said it was not yet a done deal and he was not one of the leaders set to be announced by the EFF at its advertised press conference on Thursday.
Mngxitama is one of the national coordinators and founders of the September National Imbizo, a movement for young people with a strong emphasis on nationalisation, land redistribution without compensation and keeping politicians and civil servants accountable by forcing them to use public facilities like state schools and hospitals.
He said he would meet leaders of the EFF tomorrow to talk about outstanding issues.
Mngxitama said his movement had considerable support but was currently busy with an audit to determine exactly how many supporters it has.
He also invited other black consciousness movements and parties like the PAC to team up with them.
In an invitation to the press conference at Constitution Hill in Joburg, the EFF said they would announce the outcomes of a meeting by its “National Central Command Team”.
It will also announce and introduce its interim leadership in provinces.
The EFF will also announce plans for a “national assembly” on July 27 in Soweto, where it would invite young people to tell them “what is to be done”. – City Press
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