EFF protests against alleged political intolerance
EFF alledges that police were influenced unduly to arrest leader.
A small group of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) gathered outside the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on 4 April in support of one of their leaders who was arrested on 23 March following a violent protest at Emhlangeni informal settlement on Progress Avenue.
The EFF community leader Mohlomola Maraka was arrested on charges of malicious damage to property and arson, but was released on R500 bail.
The Record spoke to the EFF’s Sub Region B and C convener Khathu Khedzi outside the court.
“We are here today to support our leader, Fighter Maraka, who we believe has been singled out and targeted by the ANC leader of the community. There is great political intolerance towards our people in the area,” says Khedzi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt6_eNAfrQI&feature=youtu.be
Khathu, who is convener of 28 Wards, did stress that he was repeating what the community told him and not making the allegations based on first hand experience.
“The whole community took part in the protest, regardless of their political affiliation, but only our leader was arrested out of all the people. This new lady is not even a proper resident of the community but she has just moved in and taken control. The people are also unhappy that she is bringing in outsiders to be involved in the projects in the community and the ANC is barring the EFF from partaking. The funds that are being spent are the people’s money – not the ANC’s. Everybody has the right to partake. Furthermore she is taking jobs out of the hands of the people in the community by bringing in outsiders for the jobs,” says Khedzi.
Khedzi also alledges that the SAPS was bribed to arrest Maraka.
“We do not condone damaging of property when protesting, but this is clearly a sign of political intolerance since only our member was arrested.
“The ANC sees that we are gaining ground on grassroots level and feel threatened but this is not the way to settle political scores. It should be done at the voting stations. Last Saturday the community chased away the ANC when they did their door-to-door campaign. This shows that the people are unhappy with the ruling party.
“This lady also said that she ‘will deal with our members one by one’ and threatened to have Maraka killed,” says Khedzi.
Khedzi also challenges the ANC leadership in the area to explain how they allocate jobs and tenders, and again appealed for political tolerance and freedom of association
Khedzi could not supply the Record with the full name of “the lady”.
