WATCH: Prisoners live better than the poor, Malema tells Reiger Park meeting

Speaking recently at a community meeting at the Reiger Park Civic Centre, the red berets leader, Julius Malema, told the crowd that while prisoners have flushing toilets, many South Africans still languish in homes with no decent toilets.

Malema also called for children to receive free education and increased child support grants because he believes alleviating poverty is vital to preventing possible future societal issues.

“Learners must get meals at school because no child can think on an empty stomach,” said Malema.

The party leader further pointed out that the murder rate in the country is higher than in some countries at war.

He also said intensified action must happen on illegal firearms.

“How come we don’t have something like a national raid day where police go house-to-house looking for illegal weapons? Imagine how many illegal firearms these raids could uncover,” he said.

Despite Malema being labelled racist, especially for singing the controversial political chant Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer when farm murders in SA are rife, Malema told attendees he is not a racist.

Reacting to Malema’s speech, attendees were unhappy that there was no Q&A session to ask him questions.

“The failure to interact with the attendees made us feel he was impersonal. However, my question is, how would it be possible for everyone to get everything for free?” asked resident Charlene Petersen.

Petersen said the township also needs more schools.

Meanwhile, Bridgette Halliday, who came from Alberton, said she enjoyed the meeting and was pleased with the issues Malema discussed.

Chane van der Watt, also from Alberton, said: “I’m not pleased with the state of our country. People of all races are suffering and staying in informal settlements and places that are unhealthy. I hope job opportunities will come,” she added.

Community member Rose Peterson said apart from these issues, senior citizens often are left out of the picture.

“Politicians always talk about increasing grants, not elderly people’s needs. Also, potholes, poor road markings, non-working street and flood lights are a concern in our area,” said Peterson.

Resident Siphosethu Ngqaza said he is more concerned about the unemployment rate and poverty and thinks these issues demand treatment as top priorities.

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