As EFF turns four, Malema unapologetic about ‘call to arms’ on Zuma

EFF leader Julius Malema has said he stands by his statements that if his “revolutionary objectives” cannot be achieved peacefully then armed struggle will be an alternative.

Dismissing complaints that such an approach would be unconstitutional, he said “if the constitution is not favourable to the revolution, then hard luck, we are going to pursue what we think is correct”.

He said last year that if President Jacob Zuma could not be removed peacefully, then it would have to be done through the “barrel of a gun”.

In an interview with news channel eNCA about the fourth anniversary of the launch of his party, Malema defended his controversial view on occupying land, which he is facing criminal charges for in the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court.

He also said that he was generally happy with the performance of his party, particularly the fact that they now had “827 councillors represented in almost 90% of the municipalities” in addition to their 25 members of parliament and representatives in all provincial legislatures.

He added that the “three spheres” from which they would continue to wage their struggle were parliament, the courts and the streets.

As for the upcoming vote of no confidence in Zuma, Malema explained he and his party would continue to respect the fact that the ANC is the majority party, even if Zuma goes.

“The ANC won elections in 2014, and therefore I will not vote with anyone who seeks to put a different president, other than you guys [the ANC] putting your own president – as long as it’s not this corrupt Nkandla guy.”