“The day I shall keep quiet, will be the day when I am in my grave,” he said.
“Not even prison will silence me. I will continue to fight for the rights of workers from prison. I shall always be with you. I don’t need permission to address you.”
Miners at Beatrix Gold Mine in Virginia downed tools last month, demanding a R16,000 monthly salary.
Malema alleged that ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete was a shareholder at the Beatrix Gold Mine.
He also lashed out at Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, accusing her of undermining miners by calling them “cheap labourers, who don’t have rights”.
“Your vote has the same status as that of the Oppenheimers,” Malema said. “It is not a cheap vote. You are the most important people in our economy. And should be treated with respect. You must never get tired of demanding your rights .”
Malema also attacked President Jacob Zuma, saying that he had “stolen” more than R200-million “to build his new home” while he already had three homes.
“Stealing more than R200-million is wrong and it is only in South Africa where R200-million can disappear and nothing is done.”
