By Marcus Moloko
EFF leader Julius Malema has made a series of comments on South Africa’s political future and its strained relations with the United States, predicting that ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula is on course to become the next President of the party.
Malema also dismissed speculation about his family ties to attempted murder accused and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and issued a fiery call for South Africa to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Miami, Florida, if the country is excluded.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Malema said Mbalula would rise as leader of the ANC.
“Fikile Mbalula is going to be President of the ANC if there is no serious intervention made to stop him, I warned you about this that this Mbalula … if they allow him to do what he’s doing, he’s going to lead them,” said Malema.
Using a marathon analogy, Malema added, “If it was a marathon, Mbalula is ahead. Paul [Mashatile] is trying to catch up… I don’t know how he will get there.”
Malema added that Mbalula spoke for two and a half hours while delivering his report to the ANC NGC, and that President Cyril Ramaphosa was compelled to sit through it, only to later rise to his feet and sing Mbalula’s praises as one of the ANC’s best Secretaries General.
“After Gwede Mantashe realised this was going too far, he tried to stop the delegates, but only made matters worse for the President as delegates charged forward and moved closer to the stage,” said Malema.
Malema also moved to quash persistent rumours linking him to businessman “Cat” Matlala.
“I am not related to Cat Matlala. “Cat” Matlala and my wife share a surname… and my wife is not related to Cat Matlala,” he declared.
The statement appeared aimed at silencing speculation that has circulated in political circles and on social media, where critics have attempted to draw connections between Malema’s family and Matlala.
Turning his attention to international affairs, Malema launched a scathing attack on Ramaphosa’s recent visit to Washington, United States.
“It doesn’t matter how many times you go to the Oval Office. Our President went there with his clowns to go and try and explain themselves – and it didn’t work,” Malema said.
He accused Ramaphosa’s delegation of failing to defend South Africa’s position on global issues, particularly its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Malema’s sharpest words were reserved for U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently announced that South Africa would not be invited to the G20 summit in Miami next year.
This decision, Malema argued, was a direct attack on South Africa’s status as a founding member of the G20.
“The EFF calls for a boycott of the G20 Miami, Florida, if South Africa is not allowed as a founding member as a result of the declaration by Donald Trump,” he said.
Malema said footage played in the Oval Office was meant to peddle a ‘false’ narrative.
“Look, the footage that’s being played at the Oval Office is used to peddle lies about SA, that cannot be used to force us to retreat from our stance,” Malema said.
“The man has taken a decision to go against SA for what the EFF says is the SA position against Israel,” Malema added.
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