Pretoria – The newly-formed Economic Freedom Fighters will not be intimidated by any other political party in its campaign to recruit voters for next year’s elections, EFF Gauteng spokesperson Patrick Sindane said on Monday.
Speaking shortly after the EFF was handed its registration certificate by the Independent Electoral Commission in Centurion, Sindane claimed members of the ANC had been using “mafia tactics” to impede the EFF’s progress.
“We are aware that there is a lot of intimidation that is going on where we come from. When they come in peace we will be peaceful, but when they come with fire we must return fire with fire,” he said.
“We will never be intimidated. It shows that the ruling party is not prepared. They are not going to hand over power freely once we take over next year.”
Mass mobilisation
The EFF is scheduled to hold its national official public launch on Sunday at the hill in Marikana, near Rustenburg in North West where 34 mainly striking mineworkers were shot dead by police on 16 August 2012.
The week before, 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in strike-related violence.
Sindane said “mass mobilisation” was underway for Sunday’s event which would be addressed by party leader Julius Malema.
“Let us go and mobilise in your regions and ensure we have enough transport [to travel to Marikana]. Marikana must be a success, whether they like it or not,” said Sindane.
“We are going to Marikana to pick up the bloody spear of our fallen heroes who were killed by [President Jacob] Zuma and [national police commissioner] Riah Phiyega. Those workers were butchered like ants and flies for simply trying to ensure that there is bread on their tables. Marikana is a very significant area.”
He said the police had not been of assistance in the incidents of intimidation against EFF members.
“In our public meetings every day, we have seen smaller nyana [little] groups of the so called African National Congress people, wearing their T-shirts, claiming to be sent by the ANC to disrupt our meetings.”
“What is it they are scared of? Why are they using these mafia tactics? Why can’t they show that this democracy which Nelson Mandela fought for is enjoyed by everyone?”
No interviews
Earlier, Malema told his supporters that other political players in South Africa should allow his party an opportunity to rally its own support base without intimidation.
Malema, who used to be an outspoken supporter of Zuma and president of the ANC Youth League, formed the EFF this year after being expelled from the ANC.
He would not grant interviews on Monday and was whisked off in a grey BMW 7 series driven by EFF spokesperson Floyd Shivambu.
– SAPA
The Guardian 