Malema asks whites for funds to fight for democracy

12 September 2014 - 02:31 By Thabo Mokone
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Julius Malema addresses the crowd at the EFF's first Anniversary Rally held at Thokoza Park in Soweto, Johannesburg.
Julius Malema addresses the crowd at the EFF's first Anniversary Rally held at Thokoza Park in Soweto, Johannesburg.
Image: Waldo Swiegers.

EFF leader Julius Malema has appealed to rich white South Africans to help fund opposition political parties, saying the parties need to be empowered to challenge the hegemony of the ANC.

Malema also urged the wealthy to finance the DA's bid for a judicial review of the National Prosecuting Authority's decision in 2009 to withdraw corruption and other charges against President Jacob Zuma. He said the court challenge should happen "as in yesterday".

Speaking at the Cape Town Press Club, Malema launched a charm offensive on his largely white audience and said they were needed to prevent South Africa from sliding towards becoming a one-party state.

"Those of you who have money, you must not finance only those who agree with you ... but the opposition, because if the opposition doesn't have sufficient funds it will die a natural death ... it means dictatorship," he said.

Many in his audience yesterday - retired journalists, practising lawyers and business executives - seemed to warm to the EFF leader, with some declaring: "You're not such a bad guy as we thought."

In an attempt to amplify his point, Malema said in jest that he suspected that there was plenty of money around him, taking into account the building in which he was speaking.

The club was meeting at the Kelvin Grove, in Newlands. Established in 1925, it is an exclusive sports and events venue for Cape Town high society.

"We're meeting here in a building that reflects old money, so my suspicion is that there might be some money here and therefore we'll have to tap into those coffers and get some resources, not for the EFF but for democracy," he said.

"Let's support parties that are going to give the ANC hell in parliament."

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