Latest news with #EFFEconomicFreedomFighters
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Julius Malema calls MK Party leader Jacob Zuma a ‘sellout' over his visit to Morocco
EFF leader Julius Malema has denounced former President Jacob Zuma's diplomatic visit to Morocco. Image: X/EFF Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has weighed in on former President and leader of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Jacob Zuma's recent visit to Morocco, calling him a 'sellout.' 'On (the issue of) Morocco, that was a complete sellout position,' he said on the sidelines of his court appearance at East London Magistrate's Court, in Eastern Cape. Malema, along with his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, are accused of discharging a firearm in public during the EFF's fifth birthday celebrations in July 2018. The closing arguments from both the State and the defence are expected to be heard. The red berets leader and Snyman have previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. Malema's criticism comes after Zuma visited Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat 'Now there's a manoeuvre, they are no longer emphasising their party position on Morocco,' Malema said. 'They are saying, 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 in relation to Morocco." Malema reaffirmed the EFF's support for the Sahrawi people's struggle for independence. '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.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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The MK Party released a policy position earlier this week explaining that they believe South Africa and the Kingdom of Morocco should be committed to strengthening their bilateral relations, grounded in shared principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and African unity. 'The MK Party's identity is deeply rooted in the historic struggle for liberation and dignity in South Africa. Similarly, Morocco's history is marked by its resistance to colonial domination and its determined pursuit of national unity. 'Both nations were shaped by their anti-colonial struggles — South Africa from apartheid and Morocco from French and Spanish rule. 'In this regard, Morocco has played a pivotal role in supporting South Africa through its fight for liberation. Morocco was the first country to lend financial and military support to Umkhonto weSizwe in 1962. 'Morocco's efforts to reclaim its full territorial integrity align with the MK Party's commitment to preserving the sovereignty and unity of African states,' the policy states. On Saturday, the ANC lambasted the use of the national flag in Zuma's meeting with Moroccan officials. 'This reckless and provocative act constitutes a flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms and an unacceptable intrusion into South Africa's internal political affairs. It is a dangerous attempt to delegitimise our constitutional order and discredit the authority of a democratically elected government. 'This inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference,' the ANC said. The party called on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to issue a formal diplomatic protest and to demand an immediate explanation and apology from the Moroccan authorities. 'We also call on all South Africans, regardless of political affiliation, to reject this dangerous precedent that threatens our sovereignty, our democracy, and our national unity. 'We further condemn the opportunistic involvement of Jacob Zuma, who has aligned himself with efforts that erode South Africa's standing in the international community and betray the principles of non-alignment, peace, and anticolonial solidarity that he once purported to uphold,' the party said. 'The leader of the MKP has revealed his true colours by demonstrating a lack of belief in the ANC's political, economic, and ideological principles of progressive internationalism, Pan-Africanism, and solidarity on both international and continental levels. 'It is shameful that a former leader of a liberation movement is betraying our historical mission and showing his true colours as he stands in opposition to the aim of contributing to the creation of a better Africa and world that is more humane, just, equitable, democratic, and free world,' the ANC said. On Sunday, Mbalula said that Zuma's actions are not a surprise as 'Jacob Zuma represents everything that is... pursued by sellouts'. Mbalula came out to address the media during a short interval at the Cape Sun Hotel, where the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) met with the Provincial Executive Committee. This forms part of the ANC's ongoing efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity and engage directly with structures of the movement across regions and districts. '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 is a sellout of note. For whatever reason, he is doing this is no surprise to us,' Mbalula said. '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, to weaken the African National Congress, for his own personal aggrandisement, is what he has been. He will be remembered for that by history.' IOL Politics
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
‘I don't know him, let him rot in jail,' Malema breaks silence on Vusimuzi ‘Cat' Matlala scandal
EFF leader Julius Malema has denied any association with controversial business tycoon Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who is accused of corruption and attempted murder. Image: X/EFF Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has distanced himself from controversial businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, following social media speculation linking him and his wife to the embattled tycoon. 'He must go - rot in jail. I don't know him. I don't even care about him,' Malema told journalists on Wednesday outside Mponegele Primary School voting station in Limpopo, where by-elections were held in Ward 13. 'I've never had anything to do with him. So you take a petty gossip and come ask me about it? There are serious national issues you should ask me about. I've got nothing to do with what is happening.' Malema also expressed frustration over the scrutiny, 'When I speak, you all complain. When I keep quiet, you all complain. I don't know what you want now ...le a nnyaka, man (you really want me to talk).' Malema's comments followed speculation on social media suggesting his wife, Mantwa Matlala, is related to Matlala or uses VIP protection services offered by his company, CAT VIP Protection. Images making rounds on social media, purportedly show a woman believed to be Mantwa being protected by agents from CAT VIP Protection. Some users have alleged that this connection is the reason for Malema's silence on Matlala. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Others, however, said there were no links between Mantwa and the businessman. 'Cat' Matlala made headlines recently after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused him of interfering in police operations and shielding criminal networks. During a press briefing last week, Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp messages, SAPS documents, and cellphone records that allegedly show efforts to dismantle a KZN task team. Mkhwanazi linked Matlala to Brown Mogotsi, a 'comrade' of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and revealed Matlala had received a R360 million SAPS health services contract that has since been canceled. According to Mkhwanazi, the disbandment of the task team was 'a calculated move to shield a criminal syndicate embedded in law enforcement and politics.' In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave and established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. On Tuesday, he appointed Gwede Mantashe as acting police minister, while Mantashe continues in his current role in Mineral and Petroleum Resources. Professor Firoz Cachalia is expected to assume the role permanently in August after retiring from Wits University. IOL News previously reported that Matlala is facing additional charges related to a 2023 shooting incident involving South African socialite Tebogo Thobejane, known for her role on Muvhango. Thobejane was shot in the foot on the N1 near Sandton, while a female passenger suffered a serious spinal injury. Last week on Friday, Matlala and his three co-accused appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court. The state announced plans to consolidate two other cases - one in Pretoria West and another in Lyttelton - into the current matter. Proceedings were postponed to August 26. Matlala appeared in shackles and was transported under heavy guard to the C-Max unit at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre. He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and money laundering. His co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala (accused number four), Musa Kekana (accused number one), and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, also known as Danny (accused number two). Tsakani Matlala was added to the charge sheet in May and granted R20,000 bail due to health concerns and her role as a mother of young children. Bail conditions include surrendering her passport, remaining in Gauteng, and avoiding contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused. Matlala was arrested on May 14 in Midrand following what police called a 'high-profile investigation.' He is accused of orchestrating a hit on Thobejane and laundering millions, including funds tied to the canceled SAPS contract. IOL Politics
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
‘No white genocide' Julius Malema asserts at Youth Day rally as he takes stab at Trump, Musk and Ramaphosa
Julius Malema addressed a number of controversial topics at the EFF's Youth Day Rally on June 16. Image: EFF Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has once again denounced claims that there is a 'white genocide' taking place in South Africa. Speaking at his party's 2025 Youth Day Rally, held at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, on June 16, Malema took a stab at foreign leaders who sought to undermine the sovereignty of South Africa and also reiterated the EFF's stance on land ownership. He began his address by telling the party's young members that they must 'pick up the spear' and fight the legacy of Hendrik Verwoerd, by demanding a quality education that was also decolonised. Later in his speech, Malema touched on President Cyril Ramaphosa's 'ambush' during his recent visit to the United States, where US President Donald Trump played clips of Malema chanting the apartheid-era liberation song 'Kill the Boer' and accused Ramaphosa of allowing land grabs to take place. While Malema, at the Youth Day event, denied the accusations of calling for genocide, he did imply that peace was conditional. 'Comrades, there is no white genocide. There is no one who wants to kill white people. We are saying to the white people, let's live together in peace, but we can't live in peace if you don't give us what you stole from us. "That's what you are talking about, we are not talking about killing anyone,' the EFF leader said at the June 16 rally. He also defended the singing of the controversial liberation song. 'The song 'Kill the Boer' was not created by Julius Malema. That is a song of the struggle. That is the song sung by our fathers and mothers, during difficult days of apartheid, and no one will stop us from singing that song. 'It is our heritage and we will defend it with everything we have,' he added. Malema took further aim at Trump and Musk, stating they were both 'very scared of this EFF', while painting Ramaphosa as weak for allowing the ambush to take place. He added that South Africa should never be dictated to by the USA. 'Ramaphosa said he will never be bullied by Trump, but when he arrived there at the Oval office, he was shaking like a small boy. 'He was bullied in America by another President, and that President forced him to watch a movie without his permission. 'No one does that to a President, that is the highest form of disrespect. Ramaphosa has destroyed the dignity of this country.' During his address, Malema also took aim at Musk's controversial Starlink, stating that as long as the EFF was around, that entity would never exist in South Africa, assuming it still sought to circumvent South Africa's black ownership laws.
