Malema: SA a banana republic
2012-09-12 15:55
Julius Malema (File, Sapa)
Johannesburg - South Africa is a "banana republic" that does not follow the rule of law, expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema said on Wednesday.
"No one is above the law, not the military, not the presidency, and not Parliament. Every court decision must be respected," Malema told about 60 soldiers in civilian dress at the Lenasia Recreation Centre, south of Johannesburg.
"We must respect the courts, but the leadership of this banana republic disrespects the courts."
He said government had not followed court orders in three instances.
It did not provide the Democratic Alliance the evidence in the case against President Jacob Zuma, had not delivered textbooks, and was not re-instating 1 100 soldiers put on special leave for marching at the Union Buildings in 2009.
The country's confidence in its leadership needed to be rebuilt.
"Your Commander-in-Chief [Zuma] is engaged in other things. You are a lesser priority. All of us are a lesser priority," Malema said.
"I don't know what is a priority to him, maybe getting married every year. He specialises on that one. Maybe that is what is going right for him.
"Here, children don't have books, people in hospitals don't have the necessary machines, they don't have roads or clean water."
Malema repeated an earlier accusation that Zuma was a dictator.
"These are the symptoms of dictatorship, a political principle in the form of a president becoming more rich and rich, and those that he is leading becoming more poorer and poorer."
Malema led the crowd in an alternative version of dubula ibhunu [shoot the boer] called "kiss the boer" before pointing his index finger to the sky.
After addressing the soldiers, Malema tweeted: "Defence Minister & Mr Zuma can remove the SANDF on high-alert now. We are finished with the mtng and there is no mutiny & no coup de tat."
Not surprised
Earlier, the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) said it was not surprising that soldiers invited Malema to listen to their concerns.
"Commander-in-Chief [President Jacob Zuma] has not lifted a finger to address [the] dire situation of soldiers, nor even taken the time to visit their bases... to listen to their problems, concerns and frustrations," said Sandu national secretary JG Greef.
In August 2009, more than 1 000 soldiers defied a military and court order and embarked on a wage protest at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The department of defence accused the soldiers of failing to obey orders, and failing to dissociate themselves from a violent protest and mutiny.
Last week, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the department and internal disciplinary proceedings began. Greef said the situation of soldiers had deteriorated since then.
"It is little wonder therefore that some soldiers would rather trust Mr Malema to at least listen to their concerns, rather than trust their own Commander in Chief, the President."
The situation within the military required decisive leadership, he said.
"Commander-in-Chief [President Jacob Zuma] has not lifted a finger to address [the] dire situation of soldiers, nor even taken the time to visit their bases... to listen to their problems, concerns and frustrations," said Sandu national secretary JG Greef.
In August 2009, more than 1 000 soldiers defied a military and court order and embarked on a wage protest at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The department of defence accused the soldiers of failing to obey orders, and failing to dissociate themselves from a violent protest and mutiny.
Last week, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the department and internal disciplinary proceedings began. Greef said the situation of soldiers had deteriorated since then.
"It is little wonder therefore that some soldiers would rather trust Mr Malema to at least listen to their concerns, rather than trust their own Commander in Chief, the President."
The situation within the military required decisive leadership, he said.
- SAPA
No comments:
Post a Comment