Polokwane - Emboldened by the postponement of a corruption case against him until after the elections, and the possibility of charges against him being dropped, Julius Malema on Monday laid into President Jacob Zuma and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
Addressing supporters outside the Polokwane Circuit Court of the Pretoria High Court, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader called Zuma a “criminal”, ridiculed his family and denounced Madonsela as a “tool” used by “Afrikaner minorities” to undermine black leaders.
He accused Zuma of misusing public funds, saying he had built a swimming pool for R2.5 million at his private home in Nkandla.
Malema sarcastically said Zuma’s family were hoping to produce the next Olympic athlete. “But even his children, just like their father, they can’t swim,” said Malema.
He criticised Madonsela as a “tool used against black people”.
“I used to respect her. I thought she was fearless, only to realise that she is a tool used by Afrikaner minorities to undermine the leadership of African masses,” said Malema. He told his followers not to quickly celebrate Madonsela as their hero. “Don’t put too much hope on (her). Put your hope on your political leaders, these leaders will not mislead you,” said Malema.
He claimed Madonsela had never made negative findings against the DA. But he said he supported Madonsela’s investigation into the R206m upgrades at Zuma’s house.
Madonsela’s spokesman, Oupa Segalwe, said Malema’s allegations were baseless.
The charges Malema faces stem from a report by Madonsela which had declared as “unlawful and invalid” a multi-million contract awarded to On-Point Engineering company by the Limpopo government in 2009. The company was partly owned by Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust.
The court effectively gave Malema a licence to campaign for next year’s elections without worrying about the charges, at least for now. In fact, he could be a free man by Thursday next week if the National Prosecuting Authority decides to withdraw all charges.
Malema last week made representations to the NPA for the charges to be thrown out, it emerged in court yesterday. If the NPA decides to continue with the prosecution, the EFF leader will stand trial in September.
Malema appeared briefly alongside his business associates and On-Point directors Kagisho Dichabe and Lesiba Gwangwa.
The trial was postponed to September because Dichabe’s legal representative was not present, according to NPA national spokesman Nathi Mncube.
Malema’s lawyer, Tumi Mokwena, said he was hopeful the NPA would drop Malema’s charges.
He would not divulge details of Malema’s representations. “Our argument is that the case against Mr Malema, even on the evidence that the State has… will not stand.”
The Star