SA government distances itself from Malema’s ‘grandpa’ comments on Zim

South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Mphakama Mbete has reportedly distanced the ANC-led government from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s recent attack on President Robert Mugabe.

Mbete said Malema’s statements against the 92-year-old leader were not “in line with the policies and approaches of the South African government to Zimbabwe, SADC and the entire African continent”, according to report by Zimbabwean state-owned Herald newspaper on Monday.

Last month, the EFF leader made headlines with his “grandpa, it’s enough” comments during a press conference, calling for Mugabe to step down after being in power for nearly 37 years since the southern African country attained its independence from colonial Britain.

He said Mugabe could not even control a spade and “must let go”.

“We say this out of love,” Malema said, adding that Mugabe was not doing justice to the “African revolution project” by clinging to power for as long as possible. He added there were many capable leaders in the ruling Zanu-PF who could take over from “grandpa” Mugabe.

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“Zimbabwe’s situation is bad. President Mugabe can’t even control a spade. That’s how old he is. He’s no longer capable of discharging his responsibilities. We don’t hate the man. They can respond and insult us.

“They are a group of cowards, those comrades in Zanu-PF. To be scared to say to an old man like president Mugabe, ‘please, with due respect, let go!’

“President Mugabe must let go! The legacy of the land question … we will carry it. We are following in his footsteps. We are proud of the actions he has taken. But his overstay is not doing justice on the African revolution project. He is destroying his own legacy. It’s bad.”

Mbete has reassured the Zimbabwean government that Malema’s comments were his personal views and not of the SA government, and that they would not affect the close ties between SA and Zimbabwe.