MINISTER of Police Nathi Mthethwa walked out of the tent a few minutes before expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema attacked the ANC-led government for "acting like pigs".
Speaking at the memorial service at Marikana yesterday for the dead Lonmin mine workers, Malema told about 1000 people that the workers were "murdered" by the government.
"We are killed by the government led by President (Jacob) Zuma. We thought this is our democratic government, but the democratic government has turned against its people like pigs," said Malema.
He criticised businessman and senior ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa, saying: "The reason our government can't intervene in mines is because there are leaders who are benefitting.
"There is a leader, Cyril Ramaphosa ... he says he will give you R2-million, he is arrogant. What he means is that I will kill you and bury you."
Malema warned that if workers' conditions did not change at Lonmin, the country would experience a mine revolution. He urged workers not to retreat from their demand of R12500.
Several ministers, including Susan Shabangu, Siyabonga Cwele, Aaron Motsoaledi and North West Premier Thandi Modise, sat in silence as Malema ranted against the government.
"They (ministers) are all here to pose for cameras. The government opposed bail for the workers (who were arrested)," he said.
During the service, three workers spoke about the events that led to the killing of their colleagues.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa pleaded with religious leaders to get involved in the judicial commission of inquiry set up by Zuma.
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said the massacre would have been avoided had management listened to workers' demands.
Before Holomisa, Malema and Mathunjwa could speak, a man, who later identified himself as Maxwell Ramasala, entered the tent accompanied by two men who appeared to be his bodyguards.
He grabbed the microphone from one of the workers who was speaking and said: "President Jacob Zuma must resign, and you must all know that Julius Malema is back in the ANC."
He was interrupted just as he was about to say something about Tokyo Sexwale.
Zuma's government is acting like pigs - Malema
MINISTER of Police Nathi Mthethwa walked out of the tent a few minutes before expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema attacked the ANC-led government for "acting like pigs".
Speaking at the memorial service at Marikana yesterday for the dead Lonmin mine workers, Malema told about 1000 people that the workers were "murdered" by the government.
"We are killed by the government led by President (Jacob) Zuma. We thought this is our democratic government, but the democratic government has turned against its people like pigs," said Malema.
He criticised businessman and senior ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa, saying: "The reason our government can't intervene in mines is because there are leaders who are benefitting.
"There is a leader, Cyril Ramaphosa ... he says he will give you R2-million, he is arrogant. What he means is that I will kill you and bury you."
Malema warned that if workers' conditions did not change at Lonmin, the country would experience a mine revolution. He urged workers not to retreat from their demand of R12500.
Several ministers, including Susan Shabangu, Siyabonga Cwele, Aaron Motsoaledi and North West Premier Thandi Modise, sat in silence as Malema ranted against the government.
"They (ministers) are all here to pose for cameras. The government opposed bail for the workers (who were arrested)," he said.
During the service, three workers spoke about the events that led to the killing of their colleagues.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa pleaded with religious leaders to get involved in the judicial commission of inquiry set up by Zuma.
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said the massacre would have been avoided had management listened to workers' demands.
Before Holomisa, Malema and Mathunjwa could speak, a man, who later identified himself as Maxwell Ramasala, entered the tent accompanied by two men who appeared to be his bodyguards.
He grabbed the microphone from one of the workers who was speaking and said: "President Jacob Zuma must resign, and you must all know that Julius Malema is back in the ANC."
He was interrupted just as he was about to say something about Tokyo Sexwale.
This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 24 August 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition
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