Don’t give people money, give them back their land – Malema

NKOMAZI – Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) commander-in-chief, Mr Julius Malema’s visit left Nkomazi at a standstill on Tuesday. This was ahead of the 2016 local government elections on August 3. Malema started his visit by meeting with disgruntled farmworkers from Umbhaba Estates. They came in numbers and filled the Mlumati TVET College hall to the brim.

Mr John Maluka, who spoke on behalf of the farmworkers, cried foul of the strike which lasted for over seven months now and said they were feeling the pinch.

“We have been out of work for over seven months now, and everyone who was supposed to help us has deserted us. EFF is our last hope, hence we are here to present our cries. We haven’t been getting salaries for the period of the strike, and our children now have to go to school without food. The issue of school uniforms is also at a standstill. It’s a sad case and we are really resting our last hope on EFF,” said Maluka.

Land claimants who have had their cases dragging for a long time also presented their cases. “The issue of the land with regard to Tenbosch has been going on for a very long time now, since 2007 to be precise. We are not getting any help from the relevant people. EFF will rescue us, that we are sure of,” said Mr Elphus Sibulane, one of the land claimants. Malema promised the people that his party would resolve these issues and would organise a meeting with Umbhaba management to get to the bottom of the matter. He also called on the people to boycott the products sold by these farms which were exploiting people.

On the land issue, he slammed the move by government to compensate the claimants with money instead of giving them the land belonging to them. “I don’t fight for money, I fight for the people to get back their land, because that’s where dignity is. When you have property, you have dignity, and that’s what we fight for. You must not be impressed by the president giving you money instead of the land that rightfully belongs to you,” said Malema.

He also issued a stern warning to the ANC in Nkomazi and the whole of Mpumalanga that he will be bringing new changes once he takes over the municipality.

“We are going to take over Nkomazi, and once we do, culprits like the leaders and their friends must be scared, because we are going to disband their corruption. We are going to restore dignity to the people. We will also hire your children into the municipality, not because you are EFF members, but because they qualify to work there. Everything will be done on merit and principle, because that’s what we stand for as a party,” he said.

Malema and his entourage proceeded to Driekoppies for a community meeting, and concluded the day at KaMaqhekeza Stadium for the main event. Watch video here: Julius Malema quietly loses it at “unprofessional” media person