Johannesburg - Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema is not prepared to accept President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla settlement proposal unless he agrees to the party's terms.
"We not going to agree to any settlement until he reaffirms the powers of public protector, and two [reaffirms that] the remedial actions of public protector are binding and three that President Zuma agrees in the settlement that [by] failing to implement the remedial action he was in breach of the Constitution and his oath of office," Malema told reporters in Johannesburg on Thursday.
"We will not agree that he had all the right to behave in the manner he did. We are not going to be party to any settlement which does not speak to those three points."
On Tuesday, Zuma sent a letter to the court to suggest that it order the auditor general and finance minister to determine how much he should pay back for the multi-million rand upgrades to non-security features at his home in Nkandla. Zuma was prepared to pay for the visitors' centre, the amphitheatre, the cattle kraal, chicken run and the swimming pool.
There was a "need for finality", Zuma's lawyers said.
However, the Constitutional Court responded on Wednesday saying it was up to the parties to decide on the settlement.
"The settlement proposal is a matter for the parties to decide and calls for no directions from the court at this stage," the registrar said in the letter.
Malema accused Zuma of trying to influence the Constitutional Court judges by sending the letter.
"In his typical way of trying to control everything and influence institutions of the state, unduly so, he then took a copy of the proposed settlement to court in an attempt to influence judges.
"Zuma being Zuma writes to us and copies judges so that he can influence judges, so that when we arrive at court the judges already see him as a reasonable man," he said.
But Malema said the judiciary had always rejected "ANC control".
"I'm happy we were able to see this crook even before he is attempting to do things [which are] unacceptable."
The EFF and Democratic Alliance were due to argue in the Constitutional Court next Tuesday that Zuma needed to comply with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s recommendations and repay a reasonable part of the R246m spent on renovations at Nkandla.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane told the Cape Town Press Club on Thursday morning that they would not accept Zuma’s proposal. The DA wanted the matter heard in court so it could make a ruling on the public protector’s powers.
Gupta media not welcome at EFF events
Malema also warned that Gupta-owned media such as ANN7 and The New Age will not be welcome at his party's events.
"Gupta must leave the country. We tired about talking about [the] Guptas. We going to take practical action," Malema told reporters.
"Gupta media must no longer come to EFF events. We don't want to see The New Age and ANN7."
Malema accused them of being products of corrupt activity, used to perpetuate corrupt actions.
"It's... propaganda machinery."
He said protectors of corruption would not be tolerated.
Addressing the reporters from The New Age and ANN7, Malema cautioned them to "move out the way".
"Sisters and brothers in Gupta firms we love you and don't want you to be casualties.
"We cannot guarantee the safety of those printing New Age and ANN7."
Malema said the Gupta's would be dealt with the same way apartheid was.
The Guptas are said to have a close relationship with President Jacob Zuma and other highly placed ANC leaders.
ANN7 earlier promoted on their Twitter page that they would be carrying the EFF press briefing live on Thursday.
Shortly after Malema's comments, the broadcast was stopped.
This article first appeared on News24 – see here.
