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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has said it will report to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and Red Beret MP Nazier Paulsen to the parliament’s ethics committee “on tweets inciting the violence”.
Tweets the district attorney disagreed with following violent protests outside Senekal Magistrates Court in the Free State on Tuesday.
Farmers were protesting in front of the court, where two suspects appeared in connection with the murder of the 22-year-old farm manager, Brendin Horner.
On Wednesday, Malema tweeted a video of farmers trying to reach suspects in the court’s holding cells, and gunshots were heard in the background.
In the caption of the video clip, Malema asked “all peace-loving ground forces and South Africans” to attend the next court appearance in the murder of Horner accused “from the government of [President] Cyril Ramaphosa is very afraid to respond decisively, we are alone ”.
However, the district attorney’s chief whip, Natasha Mazzone, disagreed with Malema’s last sentence of the title, which reads: “Magwala a chechele morago [Cowards, move to the back]! Fighters Attack! ”.
Since the government of @CyrilRamaphosa is very afraid to respond decisively, we are alone. The next appearance, all peace-loving South African and ground forces will be present, in defense of our democracy and property. Magwala to chechele morago! The fighters attack! pic.twitter.com/HIddc4gOV3
– Julius Seal Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) October 7, 2020
Mazzone said that Paulsen’s tweet that would be reported to the ethics committee is a picture of a machine gun with the caption “Get ready!”
Get prepared! pic.twitter.com/12DrnozYby
– Nazier Paulsen (@NazierPaulsen) October 6, 2020
Mazzone said these tweets “appear to incite violence.”
“The district attorney condemns these tweets for what they are: a blatant attempt by the EFF leadership to recklessly incite even more violence at this time. This kind of behavior is deplorable, especially on the part of members of parliament who have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and the principles that underpin our constitution.
“We call on peace-loving South Africans not to follow the cues of people who thrive on hatred and division. South Africa is in an increasingly fragile and volatile state and to overcome this we need strong and united leaders.
“Anyone who incites violence and encourages the destruction of property must be apprehended and convicted. We cannot allow anyone who provokes violence among our people to go unopposed.
“The district attorney urges the ethics committee to investigate Malema and Paulsen’s tweets and conduct. For a party that has thousands of followers on social media, such behavior is extremely irresponsible, “said Mazzone.
The two defendants are expected to return to court on October 16.
A 52-year-old farmer was arrested Wednesday after the violent protest in front of the court on Tuesday.
Police said the farmer will be charged with malicious damage to property and public violence and will appear in court soon.
(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)
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