Malema blames all his troubles on Rupert

Economic Freedom Fighters' leader Julius Malema yesterday launched a blistering attack on billionaire Johann Rupert.

He accused him of "controlling" the ANC and the DA.

Speaking to supporters at a rally in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, Malema also claimed that Rupert was behind his troubles with the taxman.

"The ANC and DA are one thing. They agree on everything. The ANC is a black DA and the DA is a white ANC. All of them are controlled by Rupert and friends," Malema told a cheering crowd

He said Rupert had ordered the ANC to deal with him while he was in the ANC Youth League - and he was controlling the South African Revenue Service.

"Rupert said the ANCYL is like an irritating mosquito in a room and it needs a 'Doom'. President Jacob Zuma became that 'Doom'."

Asked to react to Malema's comment, Rupert laughed uncontrollably and then asked: "Did he really, really say that?"

He denied funding either the DA or the ANC.

The EFF had requested to meet Rupert at his Stellenbosch offices in February but the request was turned down.

Rupert's office told Malema that he did not fund political parties.

Meanwhile, ANC and DA supporters competed noisily for Zuma's attention in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

About 50 DA supporters booed the president in the township of Jacksonville.

They were drowned out by a larger number of ANC supporters singing "Ngena Zuma" (Come in Zuma).

Zuma's visit was part of the ANC's election campaign to bolster support where the party has been haemorrhaging votes.

"Don't forget that Port Elizabeth is the home of Govan Mbeki ... of [Raymond] Mhlaba and Vuyisile Mini ... our heroes," said Zuma.

In Kimberley, DA leader Helen Zille said the ANC could not be trusted to run Northern Cape, as party leaders such as chairman John Block, provincial ANC treasurer Yolanda Botha and deputy secretary Alvin Botes were facing charges of corruption.

Some DA supporters responded with whoops of "Hallelujah!" and "Jesus!"