Juju a chip off the block

24 July 2014 - 02:15 By The Times Readers
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Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters wreaked havoc in the Johannesburg city centre yesterday when they stormed the Gauteng legislature, demanding that their members be allowed back into the house.
Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters wreaked havoc in the Johannesburg city centre yesterday when they stormed the Gauteng legislature, demanding that their members be allowed back into the house.
Image: Moeletsi Mabe

The havoc and chaos caused by the EFF is unfortunate, but we must remember that Julius Malema is a product of the ANC: "The party that taught me everything".

The ANC and EFF we see today were manufactured at the ANC Polokwane Conference in 2007. We should not forget that ANC delegates there to oust Thabo Mbeki and vote in Jacob Zuma were unruly and showed no respect to then party bosses Mbeki and Mosiuoa Lekota.

We should not forget the "100% Zulu boy" T-shirts worn during those times, and we should not forget that Malema shared the stage with Zuma at a June 16 rally where the famous words "we are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma, we are prepared to die for Zuma" were uttered.

DA leader Hellen Zille was booed by people wearing ANC T-shirts with Zuma's face on them in the presence of Zuma, and he did nothing. The proverbial shoe is on the other foot.

Zakes Nakedi, Ennerdale

I have no objection to the red overalls - they are less offensive than Armani suits - but I object most bitterly to EFF members being allowed to invade the legislature and break down doors.

Why did police fail to arrest anyone while they were threatening the heart of the democratic process? This could be a coup, and presumably they wouldn't stop them.

Flo Bird, by e-mail

I agree that it should not be necessary to wear "colonial culture" attire in the council chamber, but I believe it should be taboo to wear any form of uniform or party insignia. One only has to recall Hitler's Brownshirt thugs and the equally obnoxious British Blackshirts to understand this.

Once members enter the chamber they are there to represent the people as a whole, and not the narrow interests of their party.

Richard Becker, by e-mail

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