S. Africa: Malema backs 'violent' party members ejected from parliament

The leader of the South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, on Tuesday defended his party members who were involved in a scuffle with security personnel in parliament before being expelled out of the chamber after demanding the resignation of President Jacob Zuma.

Speaking to his supporters and the media outside parliament, Malema said parliament was not going to continue business as usual especially after the recent Constitutional Court ruling that the country’s president pays back a portion of some $16 million used to upgrade his private residence.

“Zuma will never find peace in this parliament (cheers). Zuma is not a legitimate president of the Republic of South Africa. We cannot be led by a man who failed to uphold, defend and protect the constitution,” Malema said.

Meanwhile, the EFF’s “Zuma Must Fall” campaign continues to intensify.

“The ANC wants this matter closed. It will never be closed until Zuma resigns as president. The only thing that will bring peace here is when Zuma resigns,” Malema added.

This is the second time in two weeks, but certainly not the first time that elected party members of the EFF are forcibly evicted from parliament.

AFP