EFF leader Julius Malema has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to toughen up and act against Rwanda over its killing of 14 South African soldiers during confrontation in Eastern DRC.
Malema briefed the media following the first meeting of the 3rd EFF Central Committee in Johannesburg and said other than the killing of the soldiers President of Rwanda Paul Kagame spoke disrespectfully of his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Should it be established that Rwanda deliberately targeted South African forces, then President Cyril Ramaphosa must act decisively,” Malema said.
While Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his officials have been on a media tour justifying their involvement in the conflict and accusing South Africa of being part of the problem, Ramaphosa and his government have been more measured and completely maintains diplomatic decorum but Malema said Ramaphosa should cut ties Rwanda.
“South Africa cannot continue diplomatic and trade relations with a nation that undermines its sovereignty and endangers its citizens. If Rwanda is found to be directly responsible for attacks on South African troops, then all trade agreements and engagements with the country must be revoked without hesitation,” said Malema.
Malema said beyond the killing of the soldiers, Rwanda had offended South Africa by insulting and humiliating the president.
“It was Rwanda, it was Paul Kagame who killed our soldiers, the support he gave to M23 and M23 acting in a disrespectful manner they did to the South African soldiers. They knew they’ve got the backing of Rwanda. Now do you want to treat Rwanda like is a friend, like it’s progressive? There is a problem, we have no capacity. I’m not saying let’s go and attack. I’m saying withdraw, let’s regroup and retrain and if Rwanda has got anything to do with this let’s go for them, cause we not going to have Rwanda dictating to us and Paul Kagame speaking to Cyril Ramaphosa the way he was doing. We know Cyril is weak but he remains the president of our country. The way he was addressing Cyril he was addressing us, he can’t address us like that. He can’t kill our people and not be challenged.”