‘Ramaphosa sold us out’

LEKOTA: CYRIL ‘CONDEMNED’ HIS COMRADES TO THE POLICE SPECIAL BRANCH

EFF calling on president to appoint a commission of inquiry into allegations.

Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota received a rare standing ovation from the EFF and other parties in the National Assembly during the State of the Nation address (Sona) debate yesterday, after accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa of selling out during the struggle in the 1970s.

Last night the EFF called for a judicial inquiry into the allegations. “Julius Malema has written to President Ramaphosa to allow the Chief Justice to appoint a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate these allegations in order to clear the matter once and for all,” the EFF said in a statement.

“Malema has particularly recommended that the judge who must preside over this inquiry must be appointed by the Chief Justice in the same way that Justice [Raymond] Zondo was appointed to preside over the State Capture Inquiry.”

Lekota caused chaos when he stood to present his contribution to the debate after refusing to speak in Ramaphosa’s absence, saying he needed to respond to the president’s invitation he had extended to Lekota during his Sona.

“The president addressed me when I was here. I want to answer some of the things he said to me,” said an adamant Lekota, who was criticised by stand-in speaker Thandi Modise for his “amnesia”.

“You now amaze me. From 1994 you have been sitting on these benches. You do know that during the Sona … this amnesia is amazing. The president or any other minister is just a human being. They do have a chance to go out and come back,” said Modise.

EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi then accused Lekota of “holding the house to ransom”.

They, however, changed their tune when Ramaphosa made his way back to the House. Lekota caused such waves that Malema offered his party’s allocated eight minutes to Lekota to finish his “important” speech.

Lekota said he turned down Ramaphosa’s invitation to a “trip”, saying the only trip he had wanted to go on with him had taken place in the 1970s when he and those in the struggle were sent to Robben Island to be imprisoned for their political activities.

“The challenge we had to respond to was [at] that time, and you, with us in detention, when it was difficult,” said Lekota.

“You [Ramaphosa] wrote to the Special Branch that we put communist ideas in your head. In doing so, you condemned us to the Special Branch. I say this to you because the Special Branch rewarded you … and they sent you home, and we headed to Robben Island.

“We should have travelled together to the island to serve years for the struggle of our people. You made your choice then. I will not join you on your trip.” –