Malema calls for his graft trial to proceed
THE firebrand leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, yesterday demanded his day in court after his long-delayed trial for corruption was again postponed, three years after he was initially charged.
Malema is accused of fraud, corruption, money-laundering and racketeering linked to a $5million (R63.6-million) government contract won six years ago when he was still head of the ruling African National Congress Youth League.
But yesterday’s court date joined a slew of false starts, with the trial delayed after one of Malema’s four co-accused was absent after being hospitalised last week. Malema’s lawyers are now pushing to have him tried separately, while the state presses for a postponement to early next year. A decision is due in the Polokwane High Court today.
“I came here to subject myself to the rule of law,” Malema told a large crowd of supporters in the EFF’s signature red T-shirts and berets outside the court. “I’ve been asking for the last three years: let me have my day in court. . . I cannot wait any longer. I’ve had this dark cloud over me for too long.”
Malema and four business associates are accused of lying to win a government construction contract in his home province of Limpopo, worth R52-million.
Malema insists the charges are simply “persecution” by his former allies in the ANC.
“You’ve accused me for too long,” he said. “Let me tell my story. Let South Africa know why I am persecuted.”
Booted out of the party for sowing indiscipline three years ago, Malema created the EFF, which secured 25 parliamentary seats in last year’s national elections just months after its formation.
Party representatives have earned the reputation of parliamentary rabble-rousers, frequently disrupting proceedings with chants and protests. — AFP