Maine’s warmongering talk ‘inflammatory’‚ but Malema’s is ‘toxic and careless’

20 May 2016 - 11:25 By TMG Digital

When Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema does it‚ it’s “outrageous and disturbingly irresponsible”.But‚ if Collen Maine uses it‚ it is merely “language that is inflammatory”.The African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday stopped short of scolding Youth League president Maine‚ but said: “War-mongering talk is an antithesis to the type of society we envisage to build - regardless of who it comes from.“The ANC calls upon all its members and supporters to refrain using language that is inflammatory and that could undermine our nation’s efforts of promoting and preserving political tolerance‚” ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.Arrest Collen Maine before Malema: COPEThe Congress Of the People (COPE) is calling for the arrest of ANCYL leader Collen Maine, following reports that the government may be considering charges against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema He said the ruling party “distances itself” from comments attributed to “Maine‚ according to which he has said EFF ‘must be given war’ ”.News24 had quoted the youth league leader as "Julius and his people must know no one has monopoly on anarchy. Actually we can be more [anarchic] than him".This came after Malema reportedly told supporters in Cape Town on Monday that protesting communities like those in Vuwani should destroy properties belonging to the ANC rather than schools.Kodwa said: “Our responsibility and duty as the ANC and all members of Parliament should be restore the dignity and decorum of Parliament; ensuring that this very important institution is able to discharge its mandate in an environment characterised by political tolerance.“The ANC calls upon all its members and supporters to refrain using language that is inflammatory and that could undermine our nation’s efforts of promoting and preserving political tolerance.”Kodwa‚ however‚ was more stern when he on Tuesday took issue with Malema’s comments which he said were part of a “toxic campaign of destruction‚ hate and incitement of public violence and criminality”.“Malema's careless and dangerous discourse of violence and war talk must sound alarm bells to all peace-loving South Africans ahead of the upcoming local government elections to never allow such demagogues to take our country back to the era of political violence and bloodshed‚” he added. - TMG Digital..

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