Guptas still in the country – Malema

“The Guptas are still in the country, and their companies are still in operation,” says Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.

Malema was speaking at the political editors’ breakfast with the EFF this morning. Among the companies he was referring to were Afro Worldview, the news channel previously known as ANN7, and Afro Voice, previously The New Age.

The EFF’s commander-in-chief said suspended Sars commissioner Tom Moyane must “also” be investigated, as he allegedly paid VAT returns irregularly to the Gupta family.

Malema took jabs at Afro Worldview owner Mzwanele Manyi, and said Afro Worldview was still ANN7, just packaged differently.

“It is still the same old wine, in the same bottle. It can’t be that now that Jimmy has changed the name, we must forget about all things done under that institution.”

He said Manyi needed to “take a break from the scene because his reputation has been tarnished”.

“Jimmy must go and stay at home; write books. He must have a cooling period,” he added. Manyi does not like being referred to as “Jimmy” any more.

Malema did a U-turn on the invitation he received from President Cyril Ramaphosa during the funeral of the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Ramaphosa said he would visit Marikana with Malema.

The red berets’ leader said Ramaphosa could find his own way to Marikana, as he knew exactly where it was.

“I am not going with Cyril to Marikana. He must go there alone. Mama said she will go to Marikana with Cyril, and she said I will accompany her. I was going to accompany Mama, not Cyril. He must go alone. I have been to Marikana by myself before.”

He said he was not in “a marriage of convenience with Ramaphosa”, and added he had been to Marikana for the workers and their families, even without the government.