Economic Freedom Fighters’ leader Julius Malema has defended his fellow member of Parliament Reneilwe Mashabela, who refused an order to leave the National Assembly.

Mashabela refused an order to vacate the house after calling President Jacob Zuma a thief for refusing to pay back the money spent on the security upgrades on his private Nkandla homestead.

Police had to be called in to forcefully remove Mashabela from the National Assembly.

Malema said that Mashabela was right not to leave.

“Fighter Reneilwe Mashabela, correctly refused to leave because she was stating the obvious and truthful fact that Zuma is a thief,” said Malema addressing the media.

“Zuma is a known criminal who avoids courts and refuses to account to Parliament.”

The former ANC Youth League leader said that the EFF will make sure that President Zuma pays back the money.

“The EFF will make sure that the Public Protector’s report and recommendations are adhered to by the thief Jacob Zuma.

“The Public Protector found that Zuma unduly benefited from the upgrade and he must pay back the money,” said Malema.

Malema said that the EFF stands strong in refusing the findings by the ad hoc committee on Nkandla.

“We reject it as a dishonest report only seeking to use parliament processes to protect a corrupt individual.”