'Leaders don't use violence to solve problems' - Malema divides Twitter with machine gun post

EFF leader Julius Malema split social media over the weekend after he posted a picture of a machine gun, with many lambasting him for allegedly "inciting violence" and "looking for attention".

The picture comes during fierce debates around protests over the murder of 21-year-old Free State farm manager Brendin Horner, and EFF MP Nazier Paulsen's post of a gun with the caption “get ready”. 

A police van was set alight last week and court property damaged when protesters demanded justice for Horner and that the two murder suspects be handed over to them.

Malema questioned the police response to white protesters, and suggested their reaction would have been different if the protesters were black.

Last Wednesday, he called on EFF “ground forces” to attend court proceedings when the  matter is heard again on Friday to “defend” public property and the country's democracy. 

DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone said on Sunday  the party will open a criminal case against Malema and Paulsen “for social media posts that incite violence”. 

While some defended Malema's post, others claimed he was trying to get attention and  threatened not to vote for the EFF in the next elections.

Here's a glimpse into the responses:

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