'Zuma is a tribalist' - Malema
Wed, 30 Apr 2014 7:01 AMPresident Jacob Zuma will get rid of South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng "like a used condom" once re-elected, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema warned on Tuesday.
The firebrand politician believes the controversial acting COO is being influenced by the president into making politically-charged decisions at the broadcaster.
Malema made the statement while addressing thousands of EFF supporters outside the SABC headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, on Tuesday afternoon.
The party also handed over a memorandum to the public broadcaster.
The EFF leader accused the SABC and Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) of being puppets to the current ANC government.
This follows the banning of his party’s election campaign advert.
The regulator upheld a ban by the SABC, which the broadcaster said was due to the advert showing the phrase, "Destroy e-tolls physically!"
The broadcaster claimed the phrase could incite public violence, which went beyond the limits of freedom of speech enshrined in the Constitution.
The EFF applied to Icasa to have the ban lifted but the regulator found the advert could encourage people to break the law.
It said the party would have to edit the e-toll line out before it could lift the ban.
Malema says this is purely political censorship and maintains that Motsoeneng has forced the issue due to his political connections.
In turn, Malema said Motsoeneng is controlling the SABC entirely, treating recently-appointed acting chief executive Tian Olivier as a personal assistant.
"His [Olivier’s] family and his wife must be ashamed. He’s called an acting CEO [chief executive officer] but he’s controlled by an acting COO. Hlaudi has reduced this guy to a PA [personal assistant]. This man is more qualified than Hlaudi, but he’s a puppet. He’s got no courage."
Malema lauded former CEO Lulama Mokhobo, saying she resigned because she couldn’t take any more interference from Motsoeneng and the ANC.
'Zulufication' of government
Malema’s tirade continued with his claim that the president is a divisive leader who only caters for the wellbeing of his own people.
"Zuma is a tribalist. That’s why there is a Zulufication of our government and strategic positions. They only believe in themselves and the exclusion of other tribes."
The EFF leader says this way of thinking has trickled down into the public broadcaster as well.
Throughout his address, supporters cheered after each sentence, getting louder each time the president and Motsoeneng were lambasted.
The public broadcaster says it will review the EFF’s memorandum before responding in due course.
Comments
Please Note
By commenting on this article, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of the iafrica.com comments system.