At the same time, David Mahlobo says propagating war is not allowed and leaders must act responsibly.

CAPE TOWN – The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) says it will start talks with the commander of the South African Defence Force, Jacob Zuma, to ask that he unleash soldiers on the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) following the party’s warning that the red berets are willing to confront the ANC through the barrel of a gun.

The youth league says it considers Malema’s remarks, made during a television interview with Al Jazeera,
a serious threat which should not be ignored.

In the interview, the EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said Malema was asked what he meant by taking up arms.

“He said ‘literally’, I mean literally, the barrel of a gun.”

Ndlozi said people should be afforded the right to protest without being intimidated or shot at by police.

“Each time people protest, each time they demand services, you go and kill them. If you do that, you must know we will be prepared to take up arms.”

Youth league president Collen Maine says the league would not instruct its own members to fight the EFF.

“As the commander in chief of the armed forces of the country, he must unleash soldiers on the EFF because we can’t allow that. We are a Constitutional democracy. As the Youth League we don’t have arms, we are not like the EFF and we are not funded by Johann Rupert so we will rely on the state.”

At the same time, State Security Minister David Mahlobo says propagating war is not allowed and leaders must act responsibly.

He was responding to the EFF leader‘s threat that his party is prepared to take up arms against government, if provoked.

In the television interview aired on Sunday, Malema claimed the ANC in Gauteng rigged elections, and warned the EFF would not allow the governing party to get away with it during the local government elections in August.

Mahlobo has used his budget vote speech in Parliament today to remind Members of Parliament (MPs) that freedom of expression has limitations.

“Propagating war is not allowed and it’s the responsibility of the media and South Africans to say so.”

Mahlobo’s deputy, Ellen Molekane, also took a dig at Malema.

“I want to know which army Malema is the commander in chief of because in terms of our Constitution there is one commander in chief.”

During debate on the department’s budget, EFF MP Sam Matiase took a swipe at the ANC.

“Our security card is desperation and the ANC lashes at all costs, we have seen what they can do in Alexandra.”

The ANC has opened a case of treason against Malema.