Malema: Cops threatened to kill me
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 03:56AM Expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema claims police threatened to kill him at Wonderkop Stadium when he was denied entry on Monday.
"Police threatened to isolate us and kill us," Malema told reporters in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
"They pushed us out against our will... even though we were invited there to speak."
On Monday, police stopped Malema at the gates of the stadium, where striking miners had gathered to be briefed on developments about their wage demands.
After a lengthy discussion with police, Malema drove off, escorted by about 10 police vans.
A police helicopter circled above, while police on foot patrol ran to points of entry at the stadium to stop Malema if he attempted to return.
‘Zuma a liability’
He said after the August 16 shooting, where 34 striking miners were killed, police and civilians carrying weapons should have been disarmed.
Malema said President Jacob Zuma had militarised police "like all dictators" when he took office.
"Jacob Zuma is a liability to South Africa and the ANC.
"Like all dictators, he only concentrates on his village Nkandla."
Malema said Zuma was only interested in his family, and would plunge the country into a "deeper crisis".
"It's not about a person who sings beautifully and dances nicely."
Zuma vows action against Malema
Referring to Malema, Zuma told Parliament last week that action would be taken against those suspected of inciting violence.
"It is also some people of some description who are going there to instigate miners to operate in a particular way," Zuma said at the time.
"It cannot be accepted. And therefore we are looking into that; we are going to be acting very soon."
Prior to this, Malema told striking miners at Gold Fields near Carletonville not to return to work until their demands were met.
He also called for a national strike to take place once a week, every month.
Last week, Malema also visited SA National Defence Force soldiers in Lenasia, who are facing disciplinary action for a protest at the Union Building in 2009. Malema criticised government and accused it of ignoring the needs of SANDF members.
Workers at Lonmin's Marikana mine downed tools last month, demanding a R12 500 wage increase.