The full might of the ANC has come out squarely behind Julius Malema in his battle to sing Dubul’ iBhunu (Shoot the Boer).
The party was today due to submit an affidavit in the name of ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe asking the Johannesburg High Court to allow the party to join Malema as a second respondent in a case of hate speech.
When the original complaint was filed at the equality court last March, both the ANC and Malema were charged.
However, in November, civil rights group AfriForum withdrew its case against the ANC, choosing to focus specifically on Malema’s controversial usage of the song at the University of Johannesburg.
At the time, the ANC consented to the withdrawal, but now it appears that the party wishes to join the youth league president in court, arguing the song “is part of the struggle history to liberate South Africa”.
AfriForum’s legal representatives will be contesting the application, saying the role of the ANC in the case would be “wholly uncertain”, and that no relief was sought against it.
AfriForum’s Willie Spies also claims the ANC had not provided a reason for not applying to intervene at an earlier stage. - Cape Argus