By: Natasha Archary
Former ANC Youth League President, now Commander-in-Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema joined Sizwe Dhlomo in-studio on Kaya Drive this Tuesday.
CIC @Julius_S_Malema has arrived at Kaya FM studios, ahead of his interview with Sizwe Dhlomo.
Tune in #MalemaOnKayafm pic.twitter.com/Wvz9miCJol
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 20, 2021
Well-known for his ‘no holds barred’ approach to politics Malema did not disappoint with candid responses to everything from why he changed his mind on Zuma’s arrest to his denial of dealings with businessman Adriano Mazotti.
When Sizwe broached the topic of former president Jacob Zuma’s arrest and why the EFF leader changed his tune from arresting him to release him, he explained that while Zuma does need to serve out his sentence there was no need for him to sit in prison.
“What is a man approaching 80-years old being in prison going to achieve? He’s old. He’s sitting in a correctional facility. What are we going to correct in an 80-year old? There is no purpose for his prison term.”
Malema would rather have Zuma under house arrest, which would be equally as effective. Clearing up any confusion about his ‘soft spot’ for Zuma, Malema was vocal in that this isn’t the case.
Listen to Malema explaining why he has a better relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa than he does with former president Jacob Zuma:
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Tue 15:46:17 to 15:49:17 Kaya FM 95.9
“I have never been close to Zuma. I couldn’t just pick up the phone and call him. I have a better relationship with Cyril than I ever did with Zuma. I never had Zuma’s phone number, I have Cyril’s.” – Julius Malema
Speaking about the ANCYL’s rise and fall, Malema knew it was time to leave and lead a party that was on its own trajectory apart from the ANC. Where once there was support for the ANC and Zuma, before departing from the ANCYL, Malema was instrumental in heading up the #ZumaMustFall banner.
“We told him, we helped build him, we would help take him down. He didn’t listen!”
WATCH the full in-studio interview here:
Mazotti this, Mazotti that
Touching on the EFF’s involvement with businessman Adriano Mazotti, Malema denied his party had anything to do with Mazotti. This includes reports of Mazotti funding the party ahead of its registration in the 2014 general elections.
He reiterated his response back in 2019 when he was quoted in media for saying, “They keep saying Mazzotti this, Mazzotti that. They have got the power and authority. We never said Mazzotti must not be arrested. If there is evidence then the law must do what needs to be done and he should be arrested. I’m not protecting anyone.”
CR17 bank statements
Vocal about the Pretoria High Court’s ruling to keep Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2017 bank statements sealed, Malema criticised the inconsistency with the rules around transparency. He spoke about the statements potential to shed light on the ruling party’s tendency for the exchange of funds with private individuals.
Malema’s court bid to unseal CR17’s bank statements were dismissed earlier today.
I’m no media darling
Sizwe asked Malema how he felt about the media in South Africa and according to Malema, his relationship with the country’s media is both complimentary and constructive. He feels that the media should be held accountable for how they disseminate information and where some journalists fail to see out their duties professionally to be called to order.
“I’m no media darling. I don’t want to be. The media can write whatever they want to about me, it doesn’t phase me. It doesn’t detract from the job at hand and what I want to achieve.”
Malema maintains that his focus is on fighting for the plight of the people. This has always been the priority of his party which is what happened when the ruling party lost control over some metros.
“We were never in bed with the DA. We were never in a coalition. It was all politics. We wanted to humble the ANC, all the opposing parties so we worked together to get the votes from the metros.”
You heard it first on Kaya Drive with Sizwe Dhlomo
On his future plans, Malema spoke about going back into farming if his career in politics doesn’t work out. His family has a huge plot of land with cattle and when he left the ANCYL he found himself taking up his family’s farm.
That’s where Malema will see out his final days, with his children and his wife.
Malema confided in Sizwe that he changed his lifestyle after the ANCYL because one can’t be young forever. “When you’re young, there are certain things you can get away with. Partying and things aren’t important when you get older. When you start a family, it’s growth. I never had a father figure growing up, I want to be there for my boys.”
The leader of the EFF and his wife Mantwa Matlala have 3 boys and Malema wants to make sure he is a good father and present, guiding them.
Listen here:
This is how listeners felt about the interview:
I still don’t get why you guys are so obsessed with finding out what’s inside those #CR17BankStatements because clearly nothing sinister is there. The Courts guided by Constitution, which is law, as Sizwe Dlomo said “Law is Law”, clearly doesnt see anything wrong. Move on guys 😥
— Great Zulu👑 (@SuperiorZulu) July 20, 2021
I’m glad Sizwe is not trying to impress the cabal and force issues on Malema. They are just having a frank discussion and giving Malema space to explain in detail any question asked#MalemaOnKayafm
— Lebo💃😍 (@LeboLebo___) July 20, 2021
This Sizwe dude is smart. He asked Julius malema about foreign nationals, for the first time ever, Julius is tap dancing around answering #MalemaOnKayafm
— Hlabirwa (@Hlabirwa_Bro) July 20, 2021
Also read: WATCH: EFF MP Mam Khawula breaks down as she shares fatal incidents in KZN
