'Kill for Zuma an insult to SA'

2008-06-22 21:04

Johannesburg - The "kill for Zuma" statements made by African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi were an insult to the intelligence of voters, said former Pan Africanist Congress president Motsoko Pheko on Sunday.

Pheko said the electorate in the country had a constitutional right to choose political leaders without "fear or favour".

"The irresponsible statements must be condemned. Why is the killing of opponents in Zimbabwe, Somalia and Kenya wrong, but now should be correct in South Africa?" he asked.

"Our nation needs leaders with ideas and a national agenda that liberates people from poverty, and not bullies who are politically bankrupt and guided by egotism," he said.

Applause and cheering

On Saturday, Malema defended his controversial statement that the youth league would kill for ANC president Jacob Zuma.

Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi echoed the remarks on Saturday, SABC news reported.

"So, yes, because Jacob Zuma is one of us, and he is one of our leaders, for him, we are prepared to lay (down) our lives and to shoot and kill," he said to applause and cheering, reported the SABC.

Pheko questioned what would happen if political parties in the country killed for their leaders.

"If various political parties were to kill for leaders they love, what would remain of the country? Where would democracy and rule of law be?"

- SAPA