Julius says voters are to blame for woes

THE leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema called on Sekhukhune residents to vote for his party to see change in the country.

He said the residents were to blame for the lack of services in the area. “These roads are like this because you have been voting for the same people over and over again,” he said.

Malema was addressing thousands of supporters who had gathered for the party’s rally at the packed Jane Furse sportsgrounds last Sunday afternoon.

He arrived by helicopter after supporters waited for him for more than three hours. The rally was expected to start at 14:00 but Malema only showed up at 17:00.

He told the audience that the power was in their hands to bring about change and to improve their lives. Malema said it was clear the government had a lot of money because president Jacob Zuma built an expensive kraal at his Nkandla homestead while his people were lacking basic needs. “He should have ensured there was water in Sekhukhune, not empty taps. The ANC-led government gave you taps, but not water,” he said.

He urged residents to change their votes and to choose a party that would deliver on their promises.

He told them if they still wanted to live in shacks, they should vote for the ANC. “If you want to elect them (the ANC) again, go ahead but then you have no one to blame,” he said.

Malema reminded the people of Sekhukhune that they had never had a premier from their district. “All the premiers were from the Waterberg, Mopani and Capricorn districts. Limpopo has never had one from this region. They think you are fools,” he said.

Dressed in red T-shirts and their trademark berets, the EFF supporters cheered to each of Malema utterances.

He took a swipe at ANC deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa. Malema said, “he was worse than Zuma because he did not care about his people.” Malema said Ramaphosa had chosen a buffalo for R18 million instead of using the money to help the poor. “He comes from a poor village in Venda that is without water, but he buys a buffalo. He has chosen this animal over you,” he said.

Malema also took the time to talk about his tenure as an ANC member. He said he was sacked because he wanted the party to put service delivery first.

“I told them that when we chow (use) the money, we must think of the people on grass roots level. They in turn told me to eat the money and be quiet. When I talked, they expelled me,” he said.