The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has condemned EFF leader Julius Malema’s "smear campaign" against public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan.
Malema on Tuesday likened Gordhan to a "dog" being handled by "white monopoly capital".
He urged his supporters to be prepared for "casualties" in a "war" being fought against Gordhan. He also accused the minister of having a hatred for black people.
Malema was speaking at a protest outside the commission of inquiry into state capture‚ where Gordhan was speaking.
The foundation’s executive director Neeshan Balton called Malema’s statements "inflammatory and reckless". He said the racialised nature of the attack was deeply worrying.
"We should be questioning why the EFF chooses to cast aspersions on Gordhan’s integrity on public platforms using language that is highly inflammatory. What is the 'loss of life' that Malema is claiming may occur in his 'fight' with Gordhan? Whose life may be lost‚ how and why?
"If Malema indeed has information that points to the possibility of 'casualties' in this purported 'fight'‚ should he not be taking the matter to the relevant authorities to avert such a scenario?" asked Balton.
Balton said the accusation that Gordhan hates black people and stifled black excellence was not only false‚ but in the context of Malema’s inflammatory speech and the party's repeated anti-Indian statements in the past‚ was a cause for deep concern.
He further criticised the EFF for continuing to try to paint Gordhan as being part of the Gupta family's efforts in the state capture project.
"Gordhan has been the very antithesis of state capture. If the Guptas had come to symbolise the capture of the state‚ then Gordhan was among those who represented state integrity. Despite the immense political pressure he came under‚ he was among a dedicated group of public representatives who repeatedly shielded our state coffers from those intent on looting it.
"As Gordhan himself has requested‚ if the EFF claims to have information against the minister that indicates otherwise‚ then the party should be prepared to come before the commission‚ present whatever evidence it may have and subject itself to cross-examination‚" he said.
Balton labelled Malema's conduct as an attempt to intimidate future witnesses at the Zondo commission.
- TimesLIVE
Source: TMG Digital.
Kathrada Foundation slams Malema's anti-Gordhan 'smear campaign'
Image: Alon Skuy
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has condemned EFF leader Julius Malema’s "smear campaign" against public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan.
Malema on Tuesday likened Gordhan to a "dog" being handled by "white monopoly capital".
He urged his supporters to be prepared for "casualties" in a "war" being fought against Gordhan. He also accused the minister of having a hatred for black people.
Malema was speaking at a protest outside the commission of inquiry into state capture‚ where Gordhan was speaking.
The foundation’s executive director Neeshan Balton called Malema’s statements "inflammatory and reckless". He said the racialised nature of the attack was deeply worrying.
"We should be questioning why the EFF chooses to cast aspersions on Gordhan’s integrity on public platforms using language that is highly inflammatory. What is the 'loss of life' that Malema is claiming may occur in his 'fight' with Gordhan? Whose life may be lost‚ how and why?
"If Malema indeed has information that points to the possibility of 'casualties' in this purported 'fight'‚ should he not be taking the matter to the relevant authorities to avert such a scenario?" asked Balton.
Balton said the accusation that Gordhan hates black people and stifled black excellence was not only false‚ but in the context of Malema’s inflammatory speech and the party's repeated anti-Indian statements in the past‚ was a cause for deep concern.
He further criticised the EFF for continuing to try to paint Gordhan as being part of the Gupta family's efforts in the state capture project.
"Gordhan has been the very antithesis of state capture. If the Guptas had come to symbolise the capture of the state‚ then Gordhan was among those who represented state integrity. Despite the immense political pressure he came under‚ he was among a dedicated group of public representatives who repeatedly shielded our state coffers from those intent on looting it.
"As Gordhan himself has requested‚ if the EFF claims to have information against the minister that indicates otherwise‚ then the party should be prepared to come before the commission‚ present whatever evidence it may have and subject itself to cross-examination‚" he said.
Balton labelled Malema's conduct as an attempt to intimidate future witnesses at the Zondo commission.
- TimesLIVE
Source: TMG Digital.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos