Zuma is 'the devil on earth'
2012-09-26 10:00
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Supporters of expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema held a night vigil at the Nirvana community hall in Polokwane in Limpopo. Police say there were no incidents during the night vigil.
Xolani Mbanjwa and Sipho Masondo, City Press
Polokwane - President Jacob Zuma has turned into the “devil on earth” in the manner in which he deals with his political opponents, expelled Youth League secretary general Sindiso Magaqa has said.
Magaqa addressed more than 2 000 people who gathered at a small community hall in Polokwane for a vigil on Tuesday night to support embattled former Youth League leader Julius Malema.
He said Malema's political and legal troubles began when the Youth League firebrand publicly lashed Zuma for turning black economic empowerment into Zuma economic empowerment where only close family members benefited from state coffers.
"We have supported President Zuma. We have made President Zuma to be the most good leader. If you speak to comrade Zuma you would really say I have met Christ on earth.
"But when he does things you can really confirm that I have met [the] devil on earth," said Magaqa to applause from the audience who were mostly made up of young people.
Magaqa said Malema's problems began when he publicly lashed ANC leaders for enriching their families through political connections and in particular Zuma's nephew and Aurora mine director Khulubuse Zuma.
"His [Malema] problems started when [he] talked about Khulubuse [Zuma] and the crew. It’s where the problems started. Then we are talking about discipline by people who lack a moral high ground.
"We can't be told about discipline. You must not talk left and walk right. How are you going to tell us about discipline when you are not disciplined yourself?
"The ANC is like an ocean, you must never worry about, it has a way of cleaning itself,” said Magaqa.
He accused the ANC of trying to intimidate Malema and the Youth League, by telling them to toe the line or face expulsion from the ruling party.
Magaqa ridiculed Zuma's allies, in particular Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe for abusing political and State resources with Zuma to fight political battles.
"We are here being charged by the most corrupt people. People who have benefited billions and billions from the government, who have corrupted the government, their kids and the only things that are not corrupt in their families are their dogs and chickens," said Magaqa.
He added that if Malema and others were suspended by former president Nelson Mandela they would have not have questioned the motives of the ANC leadership, but this was different under Zuma.
Away with the shower
Earlier in the evening young people had started trickling in, some still wearing school uniforms.
By 19:30 the Nirvana Civic Centre in Polokwane filled fast as buses, taxis and private cars lined Landdros Mare Street with loads of Malema supporters. Most were school children and teenagers.
It was rumoured that the vigil would be addressed by Malema, which attracted a lot of media attention, but it did not happen.
Suspended Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu left shortly after he arrived and greeted supporters.
They arrived in buses and taxis, from all corners of the Limpopo province. By 23:00 more than 2 000 people packed the hall to its rafters with Malema's supporters singing wildly at the top of their voices.
Most of the songs were anti-Zuma. Some wore shirts in support of a Kgalema Motlanthe presidency.
Others waved placards, saying: "Bring Back Malema," "hands off Malema, away with the shower" and "Zuma uses the NPA to fight Malema".
They composed a song likening Zuma to a "pig that eats its own children", a reference to remarks made by Malema in a speech.
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