Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema during the launch of his party's manifesto on Saturday, February 10, 2024 in Durban, South Africa.Photo: Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has directed his latest verbal attack at the Oppenheimer family, accusing them of trying to influence elections through donations to political parties.
This was done in response to Rebecca Oppenheimer's donation of R15 million to the recently established political party 'Rise Mzansi' led by former editor Songezo Zibi.
“There is a family called the Oppenheimer family. The Oppenheimer family is paying millions of dollars to buy South Africa,” Malema said.
“How can you donate such a huge amount to Rise Mzansi when it has no track record as a legitimate political party? Let’s unite black people to fight Oppenheimer’s money. Let’s make sure we don’t get bought out by the Oppenheimer family.”
He made the comments at the EFF Gauteng provincial manifesto launch on Saturday, where he also said it was time to vote out political parties funded by his family and other wealthy South African families.
“[On election day of] On May 29th, we are about to take the country from the Oppenheimer family. We are going to take the country from the Ruperts,” Malema said.
Rise Mzansi revealed last month that it had received nearly R17 million in funding since registration, with the majority coming from Rebecca Oppenheimer, who donated R15 million.
Rebecca Oppenheimer is one of the heirs to her family's mining fortune and, along with her brother and mother, has played a major role in funding the opposition.
The Oppenheimers have previously donated to Democratic Alliance and Action SA.
According to the South African Electoral Commission's third quarter disclosure report for the 2023/24 financial year, this figure is significantly higher than what other established political parties declared in the same period. ActionSA received his second-highest sum for the quarter (nearly R14 million).
The other five organizations that have disclosed funding are:
ANC – R10 000 000
Build One South Africa – R8 500 000
Patriotic Alliance – R7 096 380
DA-R2 608 009.05
Inkatha Freedom Party – R191 040.77
EFF did not disclose funding.
Mr Malema said the EFF had observed that the political power transferred to the black majority through the 1994 inclusive elections had not been translated into economic freedom, with the majority of Africans remaining unemployed and unemployed. They said they were underemployed, discriminated against and placed on the margins of society. During my tenure.
He said this situation continues “while those who have had economic, social and political power since colonial times continue to enjoy economic, social and professional privileges.” added.
He said this is especially true in municipalities run by state police, where people continue to struggle to access services.
Mr Malema called on EFF members to vote out the DA for failing to provide services to the people of Tshwane.
“Comrades, if you go to Mamelodi, if you go to Atteridgeville, if you go to Soshangube, if you go to Hammanskraal, if you go to Mabopane or Garankuwa, our people will be ignored by the DA government. Dew,” he said.
He added: “Today's Tshwane is worse because of the DA and the EFF is fighting corruption in the DA every day.”