The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) reiterated its stance that a combination of uninterested police and “tribalistic”‚ “criminal thugs” – and not politics – was to blame for recent violence at the Sethokga Hostel in Tembisa.
The party’s official statement on Tuesday — after its leader Julius Malema and entourage were forced to retreat from the compound by a group of men carrying sjamboks and pangas — claimed that 33 people were injured in attacks that followed the visit.
“Hostel criminal dwellers waited for the sun to set and started raiding all other hostel blocks where residents associated with the EFF live‚” said spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Also read: Malema and EFF entourage refused entry into ANC-aligned Tembisa hostel
“The criminals of Block 24 seem to be on a tribalistic drive attacking all Pedi-speaking people‚ including old women who know nothing about political tensions.”
The party condemned the “violence which is being meted against innocent residents associated with the EFF”‚ said Ndlozi‚ who also had harsh words for the “Tembisa police who are doing nothing‚ despite all efforts to involve them in order to dispel the situation and protect ordinary and unarmed people”.
“Even during the day‚ when the whole country was watching‚ they failed to disarm the criminals‚ in stead they ran away from the scene‚ leaving unarmed EFF members out of harm’s way‚” Ndlozi said‚ making reference to the media contingent that followed Malema to the hostel.
Earlier on Tuesday‚ Malema visited the families of Tsietsi Mothibe‚ 56‚ and Kenny Matjamane‚ who were killed during an election campaign in May.
The two died in hospital a few weeks after being attacked while campaigning for the party. Mothibe was in ICU for several weeks while Matjamane was left in a coma for over a month.
About 40 EFF members were injured after being ambushed‚ while campaigning at Sethokga Hostel on the East Rand on May 15.
Malema‚ however‚ said the attackers “are not from any political party; they are just criminals who practise some unfounded foreign psychology”.
“The EFF leadership has tried to communicate with these thugs‚ explained to them that ours is an election campaign and not war. This has seemingly fallen into deaf ears‚” Ndlozi said.
“These are clearly thugs who will not listen to reason at all. Police must therefore act and do so decisively until there is law and order in Sethokga Hostel.”
– TMG Digital
Attacks by Sethokga Hostel’s ‘tribalistic thugs’ resume after EFF visit
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) reiterated its stance that a combination of uninterested police and “tribalistic”‚ “criminal thugs” – and not politics – was to blame for recent violence at the Sethokga Hostel in Tembisa.
The party’s official statement on Tuesday — after its leader Julius Malema and entourage were forced to retreat from the compound by a group of men carrying sjamboks and pangas — claimed that 33 people were injured in attacks that followed the visit.
“Hostel criminal dwellers waited for the sun to set and started raiding all other hostel blocks where residents associated with the EFF live‚” said spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Also read: Malema and EFF entourage refused entry into ANC-aligned Tembisa hostel
“The criminals of Block 24 seem to be on a tribalistic drive attacking all Pedi-speaking people‚ including old women who know nothing about political tensions.”
The party condemned the “violence which is being meted against innocent residents associated with the EFF”‚ said Ndlozi‚ who also had harsh words for the “Tembisa police who are doing nothing‚ despite all efforts to involve them in order to dispel the situation and protect ordinary and unarmed people”.
“Even during the day‚ when the whole country was watching‚ they failed to disarm the criminals‚ in stead they ran away from the scene‚ leaving unarmed EFF members out of harm’s way‚” Ndlozi said‚ making reference to the media contingent that followed Malema to the hostel.
Earlier on Tuesday‚ Malema visited the families of Tsietsi Mothibe‚ 56‚ and Kenny Matjamane‚ who were killed during an election campaign in May.
The two died in hospital a few weeks after being attacked while campaigning for the party. Mothibe was in ICU for several weeks while Matjamane was left in a coma for over a month.
About 40 EFF members were injured after being ambushed‚ while campaigning at Sethokga Hostel on the East Rand on May 15.
Malema‚ however‚ said the attackers “are not from any political party; they are just criminals who practise some unfounded foreign psychology”.
“The EFF leadership has tried to communicate with these thugs‚ explained to them that ours is an election campaign and not war. This has seemingly fallen into deaf ears‚” Ndlozi said.
“These are clearly thugs who will not listen to reason at all. Police must therefore act and do so decisively until there is law and order in Sethokga Hostel.”
– TMG Digital
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