In an interview with Al Jazeera, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said he's prepared to remove the ANC through the barrel of a gun.
The EFF's Mbuyiseni Ndlozi says Malema was referring to the governing party's militant response to dissent from the electorate, particularly in the Tlokwe Municipality by-elections.
The Commander-in-chief was speaking in the context of a growing trend of violence on the part of government.
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, EFF spokesperson
According to Ndlozi, Malema says the EFF would prefer to resolve governance issues using the Constitution and democratic measures - but will take up arms against threats, if need be.
All Malema was saying is that if the ANC thinks it will rig elections, then send the military to silence us, they must know that we are prepared to engage in violence under those conditions... We will take up arms to defend ourselves.
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, EFF spokesperson
Listen to the full conversation from The Midday Report: