EFF to crack the whip in parliament

JOBURG – In the last weekend before the fifth democratic elections, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) held their final pre-election rally to garnish votes.

The Tshela Thupa (crack the whip) rally was held at The Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville on 5 May.

The stadium, which has a capacity of almost 30 000 was packed to the rafters as thousands of supporters gathered to hear commander in chief Julius Malema address them.

In the week before the event, the EFF had approached the High Court in Pretoria to challenge the City of Tshwane’s decision to withdraw permission for the party to use the stadium. “It is therefore evident that either someone within the City of Tshwane government seeks to embarrass the metro, or sabotage the publicity and success of the EFF event,” said party spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

In line with the party’s notion of nationalisation, Malema said mineworkers would not strike once the EFF gets into government. “Mineworkers will only be striking for being paid too much. Farm workers shall be owners of those farms after May 7,” he said.

“Like all civil servants, buy your own car, houses. Why should we buy politicians cars and houses while they work? The time of politicians being treated like royalty is over,” he said.

Malema, who was wearing a red overall and beret said he would wear the outfit to Parliament and at the presidential inauguration after the elections “We don’t want 20 years in government, we are only asking for five years. If we don’t deliver, fire us. Show us the door and say we want hard workers,” he said.

“Ours is not about positions, but fighting the exploitation of our people… They can’t wish us away, the EFF is the future. Any future without EFF is suffering,” said Malema.

He was expected to visit the IEC’s Results and Operations Centre on 6 May.