Johannesburg - Expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema was barred from entering Wonderkop stadium in Marikana because he was not a mineworker involved in the labour dispute, the SA Police Service said on Tuesday.
“In keeping with the provisions of the Regulations of the Gatherings Act, the police... put measures in place to ensure that only mineworkers involved in the labour dispute attend,” Captain Dennis Adriao said in a statement.
“The SAPS has a legal obligation to ensure that attendees conform with the requirements of the legislation and will not hesitate to act when transgressions occur.”
Adriao said if Malema was “aggrieved” with the police action, he was welcome to open up a case with the police or its watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
On Monday, the police stopped Malema at the gates of the stadium, where striking miners had gathered to be briefed on developments about their wage demands.
After a lengthy discussion with the police, Malema drove off, escorted by about 10 police vans.
A police helicopter circled overhead, and police on foot patrol ran to points of entry to the stadium, ready to stop him if he turned back.
Malema told reporters in Johannesburg on Tuesday that police threatened to kill him at the stadium.
His car was in a convoy of four at the stadium. The first two cars entered, after which Malema's car was stopped and searched.
Malema left his car and tried to walk to the meeting, but was prevented from doing so.
He said he was chased out and police threatened to shoot him. He then left.
“What was even more disturbing was that the chopper followed me all the way to Pretoria.
“It was on top of my vehicle... That is taxpayers' money,” he said.
Malema said he would not let police investigate threats against his life because “that would be like inviting killers into our home”.
His lawyers were planning legal action against the police.
Mineworkers at Lonmin's Marikana mine downed tools more than a month ago, demanding a wage of R12 500. - Sapa