Polokwane
A defiant Julius Malema has made a thinly veiled blackmail threat against the man who has the final say on whether criminal charges against him are dropped.
He hinted that while he respected newly appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Mxolisi Nxasana as a professional, he knew his money-laundering and racketeering case had been determined by politicians.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, who made representations to the National Prosecuting Authority last month in arguing for the charges to be dropped, challenged Nxasana to prove his independence by acceding to his request.
“We still believe in you because you have taken an oath that you will not serve politicians. If you betray that oath for promotions and career, you are dishonest,” said Malema.
“Even if the prosecutors might be speaking to politicians, we still believe in the system.”
On Thursday, the Polokwane Circuit Court of the Pretoria High Court granted the NPA a request to give Nxasana until April to consider Malema’s representations.
Advocate Billy Mualusi, for the State, told the court only Nxasana had the authority to review the racketeering charges.
“Due to the voluminous nature of the matter, it was clear the NDPP could not peruse (representations) and come with a decision,” said Mualusi.
Malema’s lawyer, Tumi Mokwena, didn’t oppose the State’s request for deferment of the matter.
Judge Ephraim Makgoba said Malema’s trial date remained September 30 next year, unless the NPA dropped his charges. “I see no prejudice on the part of any person in this matter,” said Makgoba.
Outside the court, Malema repeated his claims that state institutions were being abused to settle political differences.
Without mentioning President Jacob Zuma by name, he said his only sin had been to oppose the ANC leader.
“When I was a good boy all these institutions were not used against me. For you to remain a good boy you must remain loyal to number 1.
“One thing they will never capture is my soul and my determination to fight.”
Malema said the ANC had forgiven perpetrators of atrocities that occurred during apartheid, but it refused to forgive him.
Malema again launched an assault on the ANC and its senior leaders, including Zuma; his party deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa; secretary-general Gwede Mantashe; national chairwoman Baleka Mbete; Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom; and Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel. He denounced them as “sell-outs”, saying they were in the “pockets” of capitalists and benefited from mining giants and other big companies at the expense of the poor.
Malema said Ramaphosa had been co-opted by the wealthy Oppernheimer family.
“He is a sell-out, he remains a sell-out today.”
Dismissing the “born-free” concept, Malema said that youth born after the dawn of democracy could not be described as free when “Afrikaners” like Hanekom wielded political power.
Hanekom chaired the ANC national disciplinary committee that expelled Malema last year for bringing the party into disrepute.
“Free from what, when an Afrikaner, Derek Hanekom, still expels the children from their organisation?” said Malema.
ANC national spokesman Jackson Mthembu said his party would not glorify insults.
“They are leaders of the ANC in good standing and we will not go toe to toe with Julius Malema on insults, we are not qualified.”
Malema also praised ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, saying she was the only “revolutionary” remaining in the ruling party.
“If we had the power we should make her president before she dies,” said Malema.
He rejected as “boer propaganda” claims that lawyer Dali Mpofu had an affair with Madikizela-Mandela while her then-husband, Nelson Mandela, was in prison on Robben Island.
The Star