Malema calls for restraint

2011-08-30 15:31

Johannesburg - ANC Youth League president Julius Malema urged his supporters on Tuesday not to attack journalists or the police, and to respect ruling party leaders.

"You cannot throw stones at journalists because journalists are just messengers... if you attack journalists, you will lose public sympathy," he told a crowd at Beyers Naude Square in central Johannesburg.

Malema said it was wrong to throw objects at the police.

"The police is (sic) not your enemy. These are the people employed to protect you.

"You must know who is the enemy", after which the crowd started chanting "Zuma! Zuma!".

But Malema lectured his supporters that African National Congress alliance leaders needed to be respected, after a day of violent protests which saw the burning of t-shirts bearing President Jacob Zuma's face and ANC flags.

"Don't burn the flag of the ANC. That is who we are... we cannot burn ourselves, especially the black, green and gold. You are here because you love the ANC. We must exercise restraint," he said.

Malema said people needed to respect "ANC revolutionaries" such as Albert Luthuli.

"Luthuli House [the ANC headquarters] remains our house. You can't have a fight with Luthuli."

Malema said the ANC "will always be there", but "individuals come and go".

- SAPA