Former ANC
Youth League President Julius Malema has responded to the news that an
additional charge of racketeering had been brought against him by saying
this did not change the fact that “we have a president who can’t read”
Addressing
hundreds of supporters outside the Polokwane Regional Court, Malema
said: “It doesn’t matter whether there is a racketeering charge or not,
Zuma remains the wrong president.”
Claiming that his prosecution had been politically motivated, Malema said the ANC needed “new leaders who will not interfere with the independence of the judiciary, who will not interfere with the independence of the prosecution”.
“We need new leaders who will settle political differences politically ... The solution is Kgalema Mothlanthe,” he said.
Malema was speaking just minutes after a court appearance, in which he heard that a charge of racketeering had been added to the single charge of money laundering he already faces.
The NPA also applied to have the case involving Malema’s co-accused Makgetsi Manthata, Selby Manthata and Helen Moreroa dropped.
The remaining accused, Malema, On-Point Engineers, its CEO Lesiba Gwangwa and Kagiso Dichabe will all face a charge of racketeering, aside from the charges of money laundering, fraud and corruption they variously face.
The charges relate to the alleged irregular awarding of a R52m tender by the Limpopo department of roads and transport to On-Point Engineers.
Malema’s money laundering charge relates to the R4.6m he allegedly received from this deal, which the National Prosecuting Authority says are proceeds of a crime.
Racketeering is a crime where a person engages in unlawful business activities, and is often associated with organised crime.
It carries a possible life sentence in South African law.
Andre Bezuidenhout, appearing for Malema in court, confirmed a City Press report on Thursday which said that Malema would likely argue that there had been political interference in his case.
This was based on a “political meeting” which allegedly took place between acting NPA head Nomgcobo Jiba and which was chaired by Justice Minister Jeff Radebe in Cape Town on September 13.
Bezuidenhout said, in addition to arguing that the case was politically motivated, they would challenge the charge of racketeering against Malema because Jiba had signed off on it.
Claiming that his prosecution had been politically motivated, Malema said the ANC needed “new leaders who will not interfere with the independence of the judiciary, who will not interfere with the independence of the prosecution”.
“We need new leaders who will settle political differences politically ... The solution is Kgalema Mothlanthe,” he said.
Malema was speaking just minutes after a court appearance, in which he heard that a charge of racketeering had been added to the single charge of money laundering he already faces.
The NPA also applied to have the case involving Malema’s co-accused Makgetsi Manthata, Selby Manthata and Helen Moreroa dropped.
The remaining accused, Malema, On-Point Engineers, its CEO Lesiba Gwangwa and Kagiso Dichabe will all face a charge of racketeering, aside from the charges of money laundering, fraud and corruption they variously face.
The charges relate to the alleged irregular awarding of a R52m tender by the Limpopo department of roads and transport to On-Point Engineers.
Malema’s money laundering charge relates to the R4.6m he allegedly received from this deal, which the National Prosecuting Authority says are proceeds of a crime.
Racketeering is a crime where a person engages in unlawful business activities, and is often associated with organised crime.
It carries a possible life sentence in South African law.
Andre Bezuidenhout, appearing for Malema in court, confirmed a City Press report on Thursday which said that Malema would likely argue that there had been political interference in his case.
This was based on a “political meeting” which allegedly took place between acting NPA head Nomgcobo Jiba and which was chaired by Justice Minister Jeff Radebe in Cape Town on September 13.
Bezuidenhout said, in addition to arguing that the case was politically motivated, they would challenge the charge of racketeering against Malema because Jiba had signed off on it.
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