PIETERMARITZBURG – President Jacob Zuma will be “forgiven” for using taxpayers’ money to renovate his private homestead at Nkandla in rural KwaZulu-Natal only if he acts to recover land “stolen” from black South Africans, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema told supporters in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

“Zuma ... stands in the way towards acquiring land for our people. That is why we will continue attacking him,” he told about 800 supporters at the Edendale Lay Ecumenical Centre hall.

Malema said land had been a rallying call for the country’s oppressed people and his party would continue fighting for land.

“We are at war with whites who took our land and we now want it back. We want our land and we want our wealth; if you stand in our way we will crush you,” Malema said to cheers and applause.

The willing buyer, willing seller principle would not apply if the EFF was in power as land had been “stolen by whites”.

Malema lambasted what he said was Zuma’s lavish spending, telling the enthusiastic EFF supporters that the money spent on Zuma’s wives could have helped struggling school pupils.

He also warned EFF members standing for election as municipal councillors on 3 August that any abuse of position would be punished.

“Councillors should serve the people and should not regard themselves as celebrities, otherwise the party will deal with you.”

The EFF would not be giving handouts..

“We are not about T-shirts. We will not give food parcels. We are not about buying votes. That is for others. They are coming and will start kissing babies and grannies,” said Malema.

Police maintained a heavy presence in Edendale as the ANC started mobilising supporters in the area. However, there were no reports of clashes between EFF and ANC supporters in Pietermaritzburg.