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Mbalula blasts booing

SPEAKING OUT: Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula
SPEAKING OUT: Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula

SPORT Minister Fikile Mbalula has taken a swipe at the people who booed President Jacob Zuma just after the international friendly between Bafana Bafana and Brazil at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

Mbalula, who was quick to point out that the ANC will prevail at the polls on May 7 despite attempts to denigrate Zuma, described those who booed as "cowards and hooligans".

The minister, who is expected to be retained in the cabinet should the ANC regain power, said Zuma was a tsunami that would surprise those who underestimate him.

A section of the crowd booed the president when he went to the pitch after Brazil offered Bafana a free soccer lesson, hammering them 5-0.

This was after master of ceremonies Obed Legobate announced that Zuma would present medals to the players.

Zuma was joined on the podium by South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan and Mbalula.

"You don't boo a person if you do not agree with him or her. Speak to them and beat them with ideas.

"We are not worried, we will beat them in politics," said Mbalula yesterday.

"Those people are hooligans and cowards of no description. They are abusing public platforms. This is Satanism at its best.

"He [Zuma] is a tsunami, more than a hurricane."

It was the second time that Zuma was booed at the same venue, with the previous incident occurring at the memorial service for Nelson Mandela in December.

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