ANC responds to Malema's 'through the barrel of a gun' remarks
The ANC on Monday said it was considering legal action against EFF leader Julius Malema, following remarks by Malema in an interview with Al Jazeera, in which he said that the party is willing to take up arms to defend its revolution.
Malema told Al Jazeera that 'they' would remove the South African government "…through the barrel of a gun."
The ANC's Zizi Kodwa said his remarks were unacceptable.
"These remarks are a call to violence, are inflammatory, treasonable and seditious and should be treated with extreme seriousness," Kodwa said.
Kodwa said Malema's comments were also in clear violation of the Electoral Code and the Charter on Elections Ethics signed by a number of political parties - including the EFF, last week.
"In signing this Charter, parties committed to upholding and promoting Constitutional values, alongside the Elections Code."
Kodwa called on state authorities to investigate, saying the remarks made by Malema were a clear incitement to people to commit acts of violence.
"These reckless utterances display a shocking lack of judgment on the part of the leadership of the EFF who have a duty, together with all political parties, to ensure their membership abides with the laws of the land," he said.