Tawanda Musariri
Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters yesterday dismissed social media misrepresentations that the South African opposition party was picketing at a hospital where Zimbabwe’s Vice President is alleged to be hospitalised.
Unverified footage of EFF members were awash on social media beginning 03 February 2019 with social media claiming they were demonstrating for the discharge of the decorated former soldier now the deputy president of Zimbabwe. Although government spokesperson, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa did not confirm the presence of the Vice President at the upmarket Capetown facility, the EFF sought to clear its name regards the controversy surrounding the admission of VP Chiwenga at the Groote Schurr Hospital.
In a press statement, EFF spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said, “The EFF notes with great concern some reports on social media to the effect that we have mounted an assault on a local hospital which is said to be treating a high level official from our sister nation across the Limpopo, Zimbabwe.
“There is also a video circulating on social media alleging that our gallant supporters are marching outside the aforementioned hospital and protesting the presence of our said brother in our country.
“Let us clearly and unequivocally state that the video is being misrepresented by those wishing to drive a wedge between us and our Zimbabwean brothers. The said video is from our manifesto launch at the Giant Stadium in Soshanguve on 2 February 2019 and we have not mobilised anyone nor will we mobilise anyone to march against treatment of our brothers in our country.
“We as EFF have a standing struggle against neo-colonialism and we will not stand for any racial injustice. Therefore, for us to march against treatment of fellow Africans in our country is counter-productive in our fight.”
A shadowy online paper, Pamushana News fell into the social media hoax and reported that, “Members from Economic Freedom Fighters in association with Tajamuka have begun protesting against Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who is receiving treatment in Cape Town due to ill health.”
