Malema: Ramokgopa a ‘thief’
EFF leader Julius Malema accused Tshwane mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa and his administration of corruption.
The Economic Freedom Fighters’ commander in chief, Julius Malema accused the mayor of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, of being a thief at the Solomon Mahlangu memorial lecture at the University of Pretoria in Mamelodi on Saturday.
This after what the EFF had promised would be a memorial lecture of struggle hero, turned into a war of words as Malema took a swipe at the mayor, and ANC regional chairperson Ramokgopa accusing him of stealing from the poor.
“Ramokgopa is stealing from the poor people of Tshwane so that he and his cronies can live lavish lives,” said Malema.
He told the crowd that millions of rands were misused and mismanaged by Ramokgopa and his team.
“People of Mamelodi and the entire region continue to live in poverty because of people like Ramokgopa whom you elect into power…they are corrupt individuals,” Malema said.
The crowd cheered him as he went on the attack also against local councillors and health workers.
He said councilors who were chosen by the same people who brought Ramokgopa into power were also stealing from the poor and were not delivering on promises made.
He added that the councillors, whom he did not name, bought themselves properties in places such as Silverlakes, an affluent suburb in Pretoria.
Bongi Masombuka (18), a member of the Mamelodi branch said she was disappointed because Malema had promised to deliver a memorial lecture on the life of Solomon Mahlangu not an attack on local leaders.
“I came here thinking I would hear things I did not know about Mahlangu…not the barking at people and name calling. I am so disappointed at my leader, I even brought my cousins to learn about the Mamelodi hero,” Masombuka said.
Malema only mentioned Mahlangu twice throughout his speech.
He attacked Mahlangu’s family and said that Mahlangu was not “owned only the ANC” as the family had said.
Mahlangu’s family had been reported as saying it was against the memorial lecture as the EFF was using their son’s name for its own advantage.
The family also said no person was allowed to use the name of the fallen hero without its permission or consent.
Other party members also expressed annoyance that Malema had been more than two hours late.
Peter Ngobeni (57), ward 30 member, said he had been waiting too long for the leader who showed little respect for party members.
The event was scheduled for 10:00 but Malema arrived after 12:30.
“I was made to wait hours and hours for Malema while I am diabetic. I take pills for my condition and cannot take them without taking food,” said Ngobeni.
The Tshwane metro had not responded to a Rekord enquiry at the time of going to print.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
