Malema slates officials during EFF visit

Malema addresses the foriegners at the transit camp in Chatsworth Picture: Shelley Kjonstad

Malema addresses the foriegners at the transit camp in Chatsworth Picture: Shelley Kjonstad

Published Apr 27, 2015

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Sihle Manda

DURBAN: The “arrogance” and “stupidity” of eThekwini municipality officials’ behaviour towards an EFF delegation visiting the xenophobia victim camps in Durban at the weekend is the reason the country continues to be “isolated” in the continent.

This was party leader Julius Malema’s conclusion after clashing with volunteers and government officials working at the Chatsworth refugee camp yesterday.

Police were called in to separate camp volunteers from an EFF member loading donations into a marquee before they came to blows.

Volunteers could be heard screaming: “Who said we wanted your help? We are not short of supplies.”

Malema and his delegation were forced to bulldoze their way into the camp and address the foreigners there after he was allegedly denied access.

A crowd of about 2 000 foreigners frantically assembled when Malema arrived and spoke to them from the back of an open bakkie filled with nappies, baby food, shavers and washing soap.

He said: “They didn’t want us to come here because they didn’t want us to see the terrible conditions you live in… Government is presided over by irresponsible people, and this conduct of eThekwini municipal officials, who are arrogant, is the same conduct that makes African countries isolate South Africa.

“They continue to be arrogant and Africa continues to isolate South Africa because of the stupidity in these camps. Don’t worry, South Africa will have to accept that in Africa, we are one continent.”

This was met with loud cheers.

Before addressing the crowd, Malema invited 10 people to share their stories of life in the camps. Six spoke and appeared to be satisfied with services at the camp. Some, however, expressed the desire to return to their home countries. One unidentified man said although they were taken care of, there was no certainty that the communities they lived in would be as receptive.

Malema said the “horrible” reception he encountered was the reason “Nigeria responded in the manner it did”. He was referring to Nigeria’s decision to recall its envoy in the country due to the recent attacks that claimed eight lives.

He also lashed out at the Government, saying “ANC criminals” were harassing foreign nationals. “They’ve put you here so they can exclusively harass you,” he alleged.

Malema vowed that his party would protect foreign nationals. “They treat you like this because they suffer from self hate. They don’t love you because they don’t love themselves,” he added.

He also criticised Government’s move to deploy the military to hot spots, saying they should instead educate the public about Africa’s role in liberating the country.

“Even if we bring the army, the army will not be with you forever. The army is going to go and you will remain with the people. It’s important that we educate the people instead of bringing the army.”

He added Parliament would have to take responsibility for the camp conditions.

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