EFF ‘not ashamed’ of Mazzotti association - Malema
EFF leader Julius Malema says the red berets have no qualms associating with controversial tobacco tycoon Adriano Mazzotti.
Malema addressed the party's 10th-anniversary gala dinner on Thursday, which formed part of the build-up to its birthday rally at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Mazzotti and his business partner Mohamed Sayed attended the gala dinner as honorary guests.
Malema said the funding provided by Mazzotti during the party’s founding in 2013 was crucial to the EFF’s survival.
"When the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) asked us for money, I and Floyd had nothing. We looked each other in the eyes and asked, what is going to happen?
“At that time, they had asked for R650 000 at that time, and we had no means. We were later told through a telephone call from Mazzotti that 'brother, the money is paid’.
"That is how the EFF was allowed to contest the first elections," said Malema.
The EFF leader was quick to point out that the EFF is not involved in any of Mazzotti’s businesses.
"We are very proud of Adriano Mazzotti and are not ashamed to associate with him. We don’t know his business because he’s not our business partner. He donated money to the EFF, like all of you who bought tables here. We never asked, ‘What to do you for your business?’.
“We just declared because it was not a secret that the money was donated by Mazzotti.
“So, we do not run an underworld. We are running an above-world, and do not be scared that we’re part of anything Mazzotti does," added Malema.
Malema also sprung to the defence of the controversial businessman, saying he has never been arrested or charged with any crime.
“I’ve been charged, arrested, and seen the doors of prison for my political beliefs. My properties were taken by SARS. I was thrown to the streets, But that has never happened to Mazzotti.
“He is hated more for having made it possible for this organisation to exist and give trouble to the establishment and white monopoly capital, which he is just at the door of by the way.
“If he jumps into that door and becomes a white monopoly capital, he will see the might of the EFF himself."
ALSO READ
