Mantashe compares EFF, Nazis

Johannesburg - ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe on Tuesday drew comparisons between the Nazis and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters.

"[Adolf] Hitler used brown shirts to mobilise people," he told reporters in Johannesburg.

"The Nazis didn't start by killing Jews, they started by making promises."

The EFF has started wearing red overalls and domestic worker attire in legislatures across the country.

This resulted in clashes between the party and the Gauteng legislature last week after they were told the workwear which included the word "Asijiki" (we won't go back) on the back is not appropriate for the legislature.

Mantashe said the EFF was trying to sound revolutionary but its words were hollow.

The emerging trend was worrying and it could undermine democracy.

Mantashe was briefing media following an ANC national working committee meeting held on Monday.