Malema slams ‘clown of note’ Mashaba over national shutdown criticism

17 March 2023 - 08:01
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
EFF leader Julius Malema has hit out at ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba. File photo.
EFF leader Julius Malema has hit out at ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba. File photo.
Image: Freddy Mavunda

EFF leader Julius Malema has slammed ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba for criticising the national shutdown planned by the red berets, saying Mashaba is a “clown of note”. 

Mashaba condemned the EFF’s warning to businesses ahead of the national shutdown  protest on Monday. He said the EFF was “irrational and barbaric”. 

Malema hit back at Mashaba, saying he is an “irritation that comes with democracy”. 

“Herman Mashaba is a clown of note. It is just a matter of time. He is an irritation that comes with democracy. His political party’s ideology is what?

“I have no time for Herman. Herman is like these other loud noises. He likes to talk. Herman will never tell us anything. He won’t do anything,” said Malema.

Mashaba described the EFF’s warning as “thuggery”.

“We cannot allow a radical minority to dictate the economic activity of our nation, especially when we are already facing significant barriers to improving our society for all,” he said.

“The EFF’s stated threat to national key points, including OR Tambo International Airport and ports of trade, is not only irresponsible but criminal.  

“The party either fails to understand, or simply does not care, that such a shutdown will cause economic losses that will likely lead to the retrenchment of the workers they supposedly represent.”

Police said officers would be on high alert during the protest. 

“NatJoints (the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure) has put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all people living in South Africa amid a planned protest on March 20.  

“The public is urged not to respond to calls for violence and criminality and are discouraged from participating in activities that seek to defy the rule of law and undermine the authority of the state.”

LISTEN | The poor will suffer most from Malema’s shutdown, says Mbalula

TimesLIVE

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.