Malema pays courtesy visit to supporter in Zwelisha, Mpumalanga

EFF President Julius Malema paid a courtesy visit to a party supporter who was seen overwhelmed by emotion during a rally in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, last month.

Nombuso Khoza of Zwelisha, near kaBokweni in Mbombela, travelled to eMalahleni to attend the party’s provincial manifesto launch.

Her neighbours have appealed to Malema to intervene in their long-standing service delivery challenges.

EFF supporters and residents came out in numbers to welcome Malema.

Malema was not on a door-to-door campaign, but he was visiting Khoza.

But the locals took advantage of the presence of Malema to raise their concerns, which include poor infrastructure, a lack of basic services and limited employment opportunities, particularly for young people.

“What I would like him to help me with is to get a job, to help us with water, electricity, roads and other things,” says one of the residents.

“I would like Mr Malema to assist us with roads, electricity and help those who have completed matric to get jobs or go back to school,” says another resident.

Malema promised to address the service delivery challenges faced by the residents of Mbombela. He says the party will focus on addressing infrastructure challenges and creating employment opportunities in the province.

“Mbombela, which has got a huge potential – this place has got a direct flight from Cape Town, full of tourists who, after landing here, are subjected to potholes to the size of kiddie’s swimming pool – tourism can be very strategic and core for the economy of this municipality and the province and the country as well,” says Malema.

“That’s why we deployed our Deputy President here to be the mayoral candidate. That’s how much we take seriously the people of Mbombela. That’s how much we want to change this place for the better. If we fail in Nkomazi, if we fail in Nkangala, if we fail in Bushbuckridge, let there be one example which is called Mbombela,” he adds.

Malema also weighed in on the return to office of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola following his suspension.

He has urged Masemola to use the opportunity to restore order and strengthen discipline in the police service.

“The authority of the state has been eroded by gangsterism, by thugs that have got proximity to power, and in particular police because of the dysfunctional police force. So, it’s high time Masemola must put his foot down and say a man in uniform cannot be a friend with criminals. A man in uniform cannot commit crime. And anyone found wanting, I’m going to act on those people. President must release Minister Mchunu. You cannot have an active minister on suspension paid a lot of money. Let there be appointed minister of police with the necessary authority,” says Malema.

Malema is expected to address his party’s Tshela Thupa rallies in Nkomazi and Mbombela on Saturday.