Nkandla -
The ANC is intolerant of political opposition, EFF leader Julius Malema said at the handover of a house in Nkandla, near President Jacob Zuma's controversial homestead, on Saturday.
“They [the African National Congress] can't tolerate other parties.”
ANC members earlier blocked the road leading to the house and prevented Malema's car from driving past. Malema then got out of the car and walked through the crowd to get to the house.
After he made it through, ANC supporters began throwing bottles of water and stones.
Malema told Economic Freedom Fighters supporters: “As we were passing they were throwing bottles at us, but we did not look back”.
The EFF were handing over a house they had built, 300 metres from Zuma's home, to a woman and her grandchildren.
He said that during the construction of the house, EFF workers were being intimidated and harassed
He said that police had asked him if would use a back road to get to the house after ANC supporters blocked the road.
He said he refused the police's suggestion.
Malema said Zuma and the ANC should be ashamed that they sent supporters “to disturb the meeting of another political party”.
He said that Zuma should also be ashamed that his neighbours lived in poverty.
“He took your house and built a big house. But when we were voting they said he was a man of the people. We have come to build an EFF house next to a museum of corruption.”
Malema also made reference to the ANC's official launch of its manifesto, taking place at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, saying the ANC were “eating the cake and drinking champagne”.
He urged the police to protect the house and the media to report that “he [Zuma] has neglected his own family.”
Earlier, a group of around 40 police officers in riot gear were briefed near the entrance to the EFF house.
About 70 police cars, as well Nyalas, riot vehicles and a police tow-truck lined the road. A helicopter flew overhead. - Sapa