By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Julius Malema has called for the immediate closure of the Rwandan embassy in Pretoria following the death of 14 South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The South African National Defence Force soldiers were killed in eastern DRC last month amid the conflict with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
The slain soldiers were serving in the region as part of the SAMIDRC and the United Nations peacekeeping deployment (MONUSCO), working to promote peace and stability.
“The embassy of Rwanda should be closed with immediate effect because we cannot share the soil with the people who have the blood of South Africans on their hands, “Malema said.
He said if an investigation finds that the SANDF troops were deliberately targeted, South Africa should cut diplomatic ties with the East African country.
“Should it be established that Rwanda deliberately targeted South African forces, then President Ramaphosa must act decisively. All trade agreements and engagements with the country must be revoked without any hesitation.
“South Africa cannot continue diplomatic and trade relations with a nation that undermines its sovereignty and endangers its citizens.”
Student Command
Malema said the EFFSC has been dissolved effective immediately.
“A provision has been made to ensure the eff sc remains with its status in institutions of higher learning where the organisation won src elections to avoid attempts by enemy forces to nullify their democratic victories on the basis of their dissolution.”
He said once the EFF Youth Command status is confirmed, elections will be held under that status.
Donald Trump
Malema also took the opportunity to address newly elected US president Donald Trump over his tweets recently that the SA government was “confiscating” land, saying his comments were offensive and undermined SA’s sovereignty.
Trump wrote on social media that he was also considering withdrawing future funds from SA next.
“We want to make it categorically clear to the president of the USA that we are going to expropriate land without compensation and pursue legislative measures to do so and no threat will stop us.
“His misinterpretation of the Expropriation Act, which is a mild and cosmetic intervention, is an assessment of a measure that is going to be pursued through the amendment of our constitution as South Africans.”