Malema: We never said kill

2008-06-17 21:13

Johannesburg - ANC Youth League president Julius Malema on Tuesday denied that his statement about taking up arms and killing for Jacob Zuma was an incitement to violence.

In an interview with the SABC, Malema said: "We never said the youth must take up arms and kill. We said if the need arises.

"That need is not here. That need will not arise anytime soon.

"But we are issuing a warning, an alert to those who think we are asleep, that we are watching them and that they should never test our patience."

He was asked if, in light of the recent xenophobic violence, it could not be interpreted as a call to violence.

'South Africans respect the law'

He replied: "No, no they won't do that, South Africans are not that ignorant.

"South Africans are highly conscious politically. They respect the law and they respect the institutions of our government.

"The same with the ANC Youth League. They won't do that.

"There are people who just try and distort and sensationalise the whole issue on the killing."

Malema said his statement was merely a "demonstration of our commitment to the defence of the revolution".

"But we spoke against any attack, any form of violence... We are opposed to that."

Use of the word "kill" was meant to demonstrate "our love and passion" for the ANC president.

Malema told a Youth Day rally in Thaba 'Nchu in the Free State on Monday: "We are prepared to die for Zuma. We are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma."

Undermining the black majority

Explaining his choice of words he told the SABC: "In defence of this revolution we are prepared to pay the highest price.

"Maybe the mistake I made was to call things by their rightful name.

"I should have used an English word that says 'the highest price'. Perhaps it was not going to be an issue.

"We are saying there is a consistent political attack on our leadership and that seeks to undermine the black majority... and that is done by people who are opposed to change in South Africa."

Malema said the league would use "every trick in the book" to ensure that Zuma got his freedom back.

"That is why we are even approaching the court. We have confidence in the (judicial) system of the country."

- SAPA