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POLOKWANE. — The Peter Mokaba Stadium erupted into cheers when President Jacob Zuma arrived for Cosatu’s May Day rally in Polokwane yesterday.
The crowd chanted “Zuma, Zuma, Zuma” as the president, dressed in a grey Chinese-collared suit, walked a lap around the stadium.
President Zuma waved and smiled at the cheering crowd dressed in yellow African National Congress T-shirts and red trade union shirts.
He was flanked by Congress of South African Trade Unions president Sidumo Dlamini, South African Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande, and other Cosatu members.
Last month, residents jeered at Zuma at Malamulele in Limpopo when he told them their grievances would be addressed.
Umkhonto we Sizwe veterans were dotted around the stadium, keeping an eye on the crowd.
Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema yesterday led a stinging attack against several ANC bigwigs for being too scared of President Zuma to challenge him for wrongdoing.
He said former human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale, former minister in the presidency Trevor Manuel, and Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor bowed to President Zuma because they were scared of him.
Malema said at first he thought they would take a stand against President Zuma.
“Tokyo Sexwale, I think he has disappeared,” Malema said during an interview on Talk Radio 702 yesterday morning.
“We relied on people like Tokyo . . . he disappointed me . . . but they are so scared of one individual.
“He was silenced. We hope he will have courage and come out.”
Malema said Pandor used to be brave.
“Naledi Pandor, she was bold, then all of a sudden she was bowing.”
He said she initially challenged President Zuma on his comments that the African National Congress would rule until Jesus returned.
“She took him on that matter. Everybody was scared, like: ‘What is she saying?’” he said.
“Anyone who stands up and speaks out against president Zuma, be sure there will be a long queue of people telling you how wrong you are.”
He said Manuel was only there to praise Zuma on his speeches.
“Trevor Manuel used to stand up and say (to Zuma) ‘today you gave great inputs, (the) best of best speech’.
“People like Trevor are overrated. He is useless.”
Malema said the controversy surrounding the upgrades to Zuma’s Nkandla residence showed everyone was scared to say anything. — Sapa.
Online Reporter