Malema, Mbalula agree: Former president 'is a sellout'
The sentiment comes as the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader visited the Moroccan Foreign Minister in Rabat and endorsed the country's sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines at the East London Magistrate's Court on Monday, 21 July, Malema weighed in on Zuma's recent visit to the North African country.
'On Morocco, that was a complete sell-out position. Now there is maneuvering; they are no longer emphasising their party position on Morocco. They are saying, no, a former head of state can visit any country and have interactions with those people.
'No one is questioning that. We are questioning his position and that of his party concerning Morocco. We are very clear. We are for the people of Western Sahara, and we must make sure that they too realise their freedom in their lifetime,' he said.
Malema's comment comes as the African National Congress (ANC) also criticised Zuma at the weekend for the visit.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula also told journalists that the recognition of Morocco by Jacob Zuma is not a surprise.
Mbalula said Zuma represents everything wrong, which is pursued by sell-outs.
'We, as the ANC, will fight side by side for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. We are in solidarity with them, and Morocco must stop the occupation of Western Sahara. Zuma is no messiah. He's a sell-out of note. For whatever reason that he's doing all of this, it's no surprise to us.
'The very decision to steal the assets of the ANC to form a political party and call it what it is, to divide our people, weaken the African National Congress for his aggrandisement, is what he has been. He will be remembered for that by history,' Mbalula said.
It has been reported that Morocco controls approximately 80% of Western Sahara and has pushed for its authority over the territory to be officially recognised.
The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, controls the remaining 20% as the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SARD). The African Union recognises the SARD as a full member.
The Western Sahara, a sparsely populated desert region on Africa's northwest coast, was a Spanish colony before its annexation by Morocco in 1975. This has led to a protracted territorial dispute between Morocco and the indigenous Saharawi people, represented by the Polisario Front, IOL reported.
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