SONA Debate: Malema accuses Ramaphosa of failing to combat crime

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says deploying the army to help the police curb crime in two provinces is an admission of police failure by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Malema says the move by President Ramaphosa was the “last resort” as his administration struggles with persistent organised and violent crime.

Malema was responding to Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address during the first session of the two-day debate.

Political parties continue to react to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s deployment of the army to the Western Cape and Gauteng to fight gang violence and illegal mining.

Ramaphosa last week said the deployment was not an acknowledgement that the police are failing, adding it is about bolstering their efforts on two issues.

But Malema says this is not the case.

"Under your term, crime is out of control and deploying the army is a last resort. You are admitting that you’ve failed to fight crime," Malema said.

Malema blames Ramaphosa and the ANC for the current state of affairs in the police.

"The rot in our criminal justice system begins with your own political party, which has factionalised law enforcement and intelligence on the basis of who emerges in your conferences," Malema added.

However, Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton Mackenzie thanked Ramaphosa for the deployment, saying he should consider sending the army to the Eastern Cape.

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