Julius Malema Defends Sona Disruption, Claims Ramaphosa Never Felt Threatened by EFF, Mzansi Unconvinced

Julius Malema Defends Sona Disruption, Claims Ramaphosa Never Felt Threatened by EFF, Mzansi Unconvinced

  • EFF leader Julius Malema said he and his party never once posed a threat to President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Sona
  • Malema says he's known Ramaphosa personally for years and they've never had any incidents in the past
  • The EFF leader said the real threat and intimidation during the Sona came from the police, who stormed in during the EFF's disruptions

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CAPE TOWN - Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema is sticking by his party's actions during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday, 9 February.

Julius Malema claims the EFF posed not threat to President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Sona
Julius Malema claims the EFF posed no threat to President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Sona. Image: Gianluigi Guercia & Filip Singer
Source: Getty Images

The opposition party leader said President Cyril Ramaphosa did not feel threatened when Malema, top leaders in the EFF and other party MPs stormed the stage during the address.

Malema reappeared at the Cape Town City Hall for the Sona debate on Tuesday, 14 February when he opened his speech by addressing the elephant in the room.

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The EFF leader said that he and President Ramaphosa have been familiar for years and that Malema had never given Ramaphosa a reason to feel threatened by him.

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Malema claimed that Ramaphosa said so himself during the Presidential Golf Challenge the day after the Sona. Ramamphosa reportedly told Malma that he never once felt threatened while the Red Berets were present in Parliament proceedings.

Julius Malema reiterates displeasure over presence of police during Sona

Though Malema took time to explain how his party didn't threaten or intimidate President Ramaphosa, the EFF leader also claimed that the presence of the police at the Sona was a form of intimidation.

The EFF posted a video of the Sona debate speech. In it, Malema says that National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula shouldn't have allowed police in the chamber because doing so made room for intimidation and persecution of people holding the executive accountable.

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Julius Malema encourages David Mabuza to jump ship and join EFF’s national shutdown, says ANC doesn’t want him

South African aren't convinced EFF didn't pose a threat to Ramaphosa during Sona disruptions

Citizens believe Malema and the EFF stormed the stage at the Sona to intimidate Ramaphosa.

Below are some comments:

@Luvunoluv rebutted:

"That's what Senzo Meyiwa thought about his friend Tumelo Madlala."

@barry_niekerk said:

"Codswallop... If anyone comes running at you in a setting where that is not normal behaviour, you must expect trouble. This is SA, not Lala Land..."

@Dunckie asked:

"Who the hell does Malema think he is? I just cannot wait when the tables turn on him, and mark my words, they will."

@MASS_MOVES jabbed:

"Your CIC can't even be an effective opposition leader."

Bheki Cele forced to withdraw abuse claims against John Steenhuisen after Julius Malema jumps to his defence

Earlier, Briefly News, Police Minister Bheki Cele stuck his foot in his mouth during the Sona Debate in Cape Town City Hall on Tuesday, 14 February.

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Sona debate: Julius Malema slams R350 grant extension, says dependence on grants doesn't eliminate poverty

The police minister was forced to withdraw his claims about Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen abusing his current wife.

Cele was addressing the issue of GBV when he seemingly accused Steenhuisen of taking advantage of his now-wife when she worked in his office.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Lerato Mutsila avatar

Lerato Mutsila (Current affairs editor) Lerato Mutsila is a journalist with 3 years of experience. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pearson Institute of Higher Education in 2020, majoring in broadcast journalism, political science and communication. Lerato joined the Briefly News current affairs desk in August 2022. Mutsila is also a fellow of the 2021/2022 Young African Journalists Acceleration programme, which trained African journalists in climate journalism. You can contact Lerato at lerato.mutsila@breifly.co.za