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SA political parties urged to refrain from making inflammatory statements

Xinhua, April 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko on Tuesday urged political parties from making "reckless and inflammatory" statements when voicing their grievances.

"We have noted with serious concern reckless and inflammatory statements that have been ascribed to leaders of political parties," Nhleko said at a press briefing jointly held with Acting National Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane in Cape Town.

"It is our view that some of these issues could have far-reaching implications if not handled or dealt with immediately," he said.

Nhleko was referring to Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) Juliu Malema who said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday that the opposition "will run out of patience very soon and we will remove this government through the barrel of a gun" if the ANC continues to respond violently to peaceful protests.

The ruling African National Congresss (ANC)on Monday opened a case of treason against Malema for his utterance.

Nhleko confirmed that a case has been opened in Hillbrow Police Station in Johannesburg against Malema, regarding his statement about taking up arms against the state.

"Due process of investigation will be followed," the minister said.

He appealed to all the people to show responsibility and refrain from using the genuine grievances of the various communities to drive narrow political agendas that have the potential to destabilize the country.

"Whilst everyone has the right to freedom of speech, we would like to point out that that right is not absolute and has limitations especially in the case where such utterances have a potential of plunging the country into chaos," the minister said.

Malema is the commander-in-chief of the EFF, an opposition party he founded in 2013 after being expelled from the ANC, where he had served as president of the ANC Youth League.

On Monday, the EFF said Malema's threat to remove the government at gunpoint was not incitement to violence and should be seen in the context of the local government elections, scheduled for August 3 this year.

"We will hear what the court has to say, but definitely, it is not an incitement of violence. It's a fair political comment in an election-mood period. When a country is in an election period, it should be seen in that context," EFF Secretary General Godrich Gardee said. Enditem