Zimbabwe needs our help, we want sanctions gone – Malema
The leader demands sanctions against the country to be lifted and urgent intervention must be directed to the civil outcry in the country.
Zimbabwean soldiers mount positions at entry points into the city of Bulawayo on January 17, 2019 as order is slowly restoring. – Nationwide demonstrations erupted on January 14 following a crippling strike over the increase in the price of fuel announced by Zimbabwean President to tackle a shortfall caused by increased demand and “rampant” illegal trading. (Photo by ZINYANGE AUNTONY / AFP)
During a presser to announce the date and time for their manifesto rally, EFF leader Julius Malema said the country needed to aid Zimbabwe. “Zimbabwe must be helped. SADC countries must give a conditional grant dedicated to developmental programmes. A weaker Zimbabwe leads to a weaker SADC.”
He said Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa shutting down the internet, and refusing his people’s right to protest was barbaric and backward, which the EFF did not support. “We will not support the tyranny and the brutalisation of our people. We want the sanctions gone.”
#EFFMediaBriefing Malema: The little we have as Africans, we need to share. Otherwise we are setting Zimbabwe up for IMF or even the hostile Chinese. We are Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans are us. Their problem is their problem.
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 23, 2019
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has proposed all sanctions be lifted against Zimbabwe and added that government was discussing a solution to Zimbabwe’s economic crises which resulted in civil unrest.
Zimbabwe’s situation was a challenge that affected the whole of Africa. Ramaphosa plans to meet with Mnangagwa later in the week for a way forward.
Eight deaths have been documented since protests erupted over the country’s fuel hike last week.
AFP reported that Mnangagwa landed back in Harare on Tuesday after police and soldiers launched a large-scale operation against suspected protesters, activists, and organisers of the strike last week.
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