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The DA is arrogant, says Malema on why they removed Trollip

EFF leader Julius Malema speaks to members of the media about his political party’s stance to the DA leadership in Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane at their offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
EFF leader Julius Malema speaks to members of the media about his political party’s stance to the DA leadership in Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane at their offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Image: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times

Athol Trollip's failure to consult with coalition partners led to his downfall, EFF leader Julius Malema told the media on Tuesday, labelling the former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor as arrogant.

“Firstly, this arrogance was demonstrated by the DA’s refusal to vote for the expropriation of land without compensation in parliament to allow black people to have access to the land,” said Malema.

“In essence, the white-dominated DA is rejecting the sharing of land which was taken through a crime against the humanity of black people."

“There is no political party that has won elections with an absolute majority in the Nelson Mandela Bay. This means all parties represent an important player in the general will of the people. Therefore, whoever wants to govern needs the humility to work and co-operate with other political parties, something Trollip does not do. In fact, even before becoming a mayor, Trollip was already preaching arrogance of how much he does not need the EFF.”

Both Trollip and speaker Jonathan Lawack were removed through motions of no confidence on Monday.

The DA has since announced plans to challenge Trollip's removal, saying the motion through which he was removed could not have been valid as the council lacked the authority to elect a new speaker and “subsequently pass a motion of no confidence in the executive mayor”.

Malema questioned the DA’s focus on Trollip’s removal and not that of Lawack.

“We have said to you Trollip is such an important person in the DA not because of anything, [but] because of the colour of his skin. That coloured guy who was the speaker [Lawack] is removed [and] there’s no problem, because ‘he’s black, he can go’. There’s no case around that guy; there’s a case around Trollip being removed by the same meeting.”

EFF leader Julius Malema addressed the media at a media briefing on August 28 2018. Here are 5 quotes that came out of it.

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