Zuma attacks EFF on Day of Prayer

WRITER PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma used the National Day of Prayer for Unity event in Durban yesterday to launch an attack on the EFF, which he accused of introducing a foreign culture of hooliganism into Parliament and the country.

Without mentioning his arch-rivals by name, Zuma said it was shocking to see acts of violence in Parliament, “a place meant to make laws to develop the country”.

There were many empty seats at The Kings Park Stadium in Durban when Zuma delivered his keynote address, with observers estimating a crowd of less than 10 000. In attendance were religious leaders from numerous churches and faiths, and ANC members in party regalia.

On several occasions the EFF has caused chaos in Parliament to prevent Zuma from addressing the national assembly.

Last week EFF members hurled water from water bottles and a red helmet at security personnel who had been instructed by Speaker Baleka Mbete to remove them from the chamber.

Zuma described the violence as an attempt to take the country back to the apartheid era, which was engulfed by political violence.

He called on South Africans to unite in rejecting violence that would deprive them of the right to elect leaders during the upcoming local government elections.

Even though the event had been organised by the government, some speakers urged people “not to forget the ruling party during the elections”.

“The ruling party has brought us here (to the stadium). In August we are going to vote and we are not going to leave the ruling party aside,” said ANC MPL Vusi Dube.

Twelve Apostles’ Church in Christ pastor Caesar Nongqunga said God had “anointed Zuma to be the president”, despite many attempts to prevent him from taking the highest seat in the land.

“The grace that God has given you my president is sufficient,” Nongqunga told Zuma.