Pietermaritzburg - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was a no-show at his party’s rally held in Copesville on Sunday, either because of threats against him, or because he was attending a funeral.
EFF regional chairperson Sandile Shange said they had received “some threats from the ANC”, but party treasurer-general Magdalene Moonsamy dismissed those allegations, claiming that Malema was in Limpopo, attending “a very close friend’s funeral”.
“Our party leader would have wanted to be here, but unfortunately he has to attend the funeral of a good family member and friend,” she said.
Dancing ANC supporters blocked the road outside the Copesville community grounds where the EFF had gathered, and continued to toyi-toyi while police monitored proceedings. ANC members said they were not there to intimidate anyone, but rather to conduct door-to-door rallying.
ANC regional secretary Mzi Zuma said the party’s arrival in Copesville was planned in advance and formed part of a regional recruitment programme. Zuma said they were not aware that Malema would be in Pietermaritzburg.
“We are not sure about these threats they are talking about. We didn’t even know Julius Malema was coming until this morning when the police told us. If the EFF is saying that they received threats from us, then that is a political lie,” he said.
More than 500 EFF supporters gathered under a marquee and were addressed by leaders including Moonsamy.
“We thank the ANC for … joining us. We hope that the ANC find maturity to provide leadership and services instead of dancing outside a venue we are hosting a rally in,” said Moonsamy.
She said the EFF chose Copesville to address the minority groups and give them clarity on where they stand in the party.
“The minority communities have taken special interest in the EFF, and even though the ANC stopped some of our buses from entering the ground, we want to assure the people that we will come to you at your doors. The people who welcome us are the same people who have been neglected by the ANC,” she said.
Moonsamy said that minority groups should decide if they are happy with inequality and make the decision at the ballot.
Local advocacy group South African Minority Rights Equality Movement (Samrem) attended the EFF rally as monitors and observers to ensure there was no outbreak of violence