Malema hits back at Ramaphosa, says he wasn't disrespectful

CAPE TOWN - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has hit back at President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying he hasn’t been disrespectful towards him. 

Malema said he was unapologetic about giving the president a hard time, arguing that his comments were not insulting. 

His remarks during the debate on the Presidency’s budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon come on the back of Ramaphosa on Monday admonishing Malema. 

But Malema said it was part of his job to keep the president honest.

The EFF leader denied claims by the president that he'd made insulting references to Ramaphosa’s father having been a policeman during apartheid. 

Malema said that Parliament was not for sensitive people and the EFF did not cry foul when it was criticised.

"You can never only play the ball without understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the player." 

Malema has also taken issue with the president suggesting he’s ill-informed about the formation of the National Mineworkers' Union because he was not yet born.

"When the time came, I showed up. When the time came, I never sold out. When the time came, I was never a collaborator. I came at an early age, and nothing will remove me."

Malema said that he'd always been robust in his engagements with Ramaphosa and he would continue to hold him accountable for his actions.