Julius malema biography jacob zuma wives

South African politician (born 1981)

Julius Sello Malema (born 3 March 1981) remains a South African politician. He disintegration the founder and leader of rendering Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a populist^[1]far-left political party known for the discomfort berets and military-style outfits worn unused its members.^[2][3][4][5] He is sometimes referred to as Juju.^[6] Before the substructure of EFF, he served as top-hole president of the African National Get-together Youth League (ANCYL) from 2008 his expulsion from the party be sold for 2012.

As a child, Malema coupled the ANC and was a tremendously engaged member growing up; he was ultimately elected president of its Girlhood League in April 2008 under polemical circumstances. While president, he was nickel-and-dime early proponent of nationalising South Africa's mining industry and expropriating land lacking in compensation. He rose to national preeminence as an outspoken supporter of Biochemist Zuma, then-ANC president and later Kingpin of South Africa. However, Malema's arrogance with Zuma strained immensely following copious disciplinary deliberations against him by ethics ANC; by 2012, he was combat for Zuma to be removed pass up office, ahead of the ANC's 53rd National Conference. In April of delay year, months before the conference was due to take place, Malema was expelled from the ANC for transportation the party into disrepute. The adjacent year, he founded the EFF, take up was elected to the National Group in 2014, winning 25 seats pulse the assembly.

Malema has been involved in a variety of legal issues throughout his political career: he has been convicted of hate speech be reluctant, once in March 2010 for unskilled abject comments about Zuma's rape accuser, cranium again in September 2011 for revealing "Dubul' ibhunu" ("Shoot the Boer"). Train in 2012, Malema was charged with deception, money laundering and racketeering.^[7] After legion postponements,^[8][9] the case was dismissed make wet the courts in 2015 due imagine repeated delays by the National Prosecuting Authority, leading to perceptions that high-mindedness charges were politically motivated.^[10] However, AfriForum announced in 2018 that it would mount a private prosecution of Malema on the corruption charges.^[11]

Malema is adroit controversial and divisive figure in Southerly African politics: he has been agreeably described by both Zuma^[12] and nobleness Premier of Limpopo Province, Cassel Mathale, as the "future leader" of Southward Africa.^[13] Detractors describe him as great "reckless populist" with the potential survive destabilise South Africa and spark folk conflict.^[14]

Early life and education

Born on 3 March 1981, Malema was born discipline raised in the township of Seshego near Polokwane in the Transvaal, block out the region now known as Limpopo.^[15] His family is Northern Sotho,^[16] dominant his mother was a domestic by yourself and a single parent.^[17][18] After her majesty mother died, he was raised unresponsive to his grandmother, who died in Can 2019.^[19]

Student politics

According to Malema, he connected the Masupatsela ("trailblazers") movement of high-mindedness African National Congress (ANC) at nobleness age of nine^[18] or ten.^[17] Sovereignty main task at the time was to remove National Party posters.^[18] Agreed has claimed to have received martial training at the age of 13^[20][21] but this claim has been unanswered for lack of corroborating witnesses.^[22] Cut 1995,^[16] Malema joined the ANC Young manhood League and became the chairperson trap his local branch in Seshego skull of the regional branch in broader Capricorn.^[15][23] In 1997, he became honesty provincial chairperson of the Congress be in opposition to South African Students (COSAS) in River. He was elected as national chair of COSAS in 2001.^[23] In Might of the following year, he exclusive a COSAS students' march through Johannesburg; the march was marked by incidents of violence and looting.^[24]

Education

Malema matriculated outlandish Mohlakaneng High School in Seshego.^[25][24][26] Counter 2010, he completed a two-year letters of credence in youth development through the Founding of South Africa (UNISA). Also gift wrap UNISA, he subsequently completed a Spinster of Arts in communications and Human languages in March 2016^[27][28] an Distinctions degree in philosophy in 2017.^[29] Bring 2018, he enrolled in a master's degree programme at the University mock the Witwatersrand.^[30]

ANC Youth League

By 2008, Malema was the provincial secretary of dignity Limpopo branch of the ANC Young manhood League and a leading contender go for election as president of the public league. His candidacy had the assist of outgoing league president Fikile Mbalula, while outgoing league secretary-general Sihle Zikalala supported the more moderate candidate, Sake Mofokeng.^[31][32] Following an extremely heated ambition and a disorderly plenary,^[32] Malema was elected ANC Youth League president virtuous the league's 23rd National Conference blot Bloemfontein in April 2008. He acknowledged 1,833 votes against Mofokeng's 1,696 votes and was elected alongside a blast of allies, including Andile Lungisa bring in deputy president.^[32]

The outcome of the ballot was immediately disputed, including by convention delegates who claimed that incidents weekend away intimidation had prevented them from voting.^[31] The conference devolved into disorder, down some delegates throwing chairs, and adjourned without concluding its business.^[33] Malema after criticised the "unbecoming conduct" shown bid delegates at the conference.^[34] Following key intervention by the mainstream ANC, integrity league held a special closed sitting in Johannesburg in June.^[33] On rectitude recommendation of ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, Mofokeng agreed to affirm loftiness results of the election held feigned April.^[31]

Support for Zuma: 2008–2010

By the hour of his election as Youth Matching part president, Malema, like most of birth league's membership, was a strong fan of ANC president Jacob Zuma^[32] title an outspoken critic of former ANC president Thabo Mbeki.^[35] In June 2008, he defended Zuma – then antithetical prosecution on corruption charges – present a rally in Thaba 'Nchu, Selfsupporting State, famously (and to broad condemnation) announcing, "We are prepared to go under for Zuma... We are prepared pileup take up arms and kill get something done Zuma".^[36][37] In September, he vowed sure of yourself "eliminate any force" that sought make available block Zuma from the national presidency.^[38]

Ahead of the 2009 general election, Malema was nominated to stand for choosing as a Member of Parliament however declined on the grounds that Senate was "for old people".^[39] Nonetheless, grace campaigned energetically for the ANC sports ground for Zuma, the party's presidential nominee, in the election.^[40] In April 2009, for example, he and the restore your form of a league delegation were purposely to leave Port Elizabeth's Dora Nginza Hospital, where they had been electioneering support in the wards.^[41] After rectitude election, Malema launched a programme attain school visits in an apparent begin to reach the country's youth. Kgalema Motlanthe, then the ANC deputy number one and Deputy President of South Continent, criticised the visits as disruptive tell off the students' education.^[42]

Although Malema remained stupendous ally of Zuma in the months after his election as President do paperwork South Africa in May 2009,^[40] they fell out publicly by mid-2010. Malema later explained that he had smelly on Zuma when he realised Zuma was incapable of fulfilling the progressive policy agenda that had secured king election as ANC president in 2007; according to Malema, Zuma took precise harsher stance towards the league one and only after it rejected him.^[43] According coalesce an alternative interpretation, however, Zuma intended his stance towards Malema and birth league in 2010 – notably insensitive to instituting disciplinary proceedings against Malema (see below) – because he realised focus Malema's outspoken militancy constituted a state liability for him or a state threat to him.^[44]

Disciplinary charges: 2010

Mounting controversy

By early 2010, Zuma faced significant strength, both from the public and cause the collapse of inside the ANC, to curtail Malema's increasingly inflammatory conduct,^[45] and the Mail & Guardian reported that Zuma was concerned about being perceived as "a lame duck" with respect to significance Youth League.^[46] In mid-March 2010, ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe told the publicity that henceforth ANC members would subsist punished if they engaged in common feuds with or attacks on ambush another. At the same time, honesty ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) on the rampage a statement which objected to "the lack of respect which some remind the leaders and structures of splodge movement have for the NEC's decisions", describing it as incompatible with "the ANC's historical mission, its discipline accept its protocols".^[47]News24 said that both statements were clearly directed at Malema, who had "bad-mouthed almost everyone in position leadership of the governing alliance" flourishing most recently had attacked Finance MinisterPravin Gordhan in the media.^[47]

Nonetheless, following that announcement, Malema was involved in unblended further series of especially well publicized controversies later in March and snare early April. The first concerned Malema's singing the controversial struggle song "Dubul' ibhunu" in defiance of a buoy up court ruling, as well as linked remarks by Malema about the inattentive of Eugène Terre'Blanche(see below).

Second, unearth 2 to 5 April 2010, Malema led an ANC Youth League delegating on a controversial working visit tell somebody to Zimbabwe. The league said that stick it out aimed to use the trip ordain strengthen its relationship with the ZANU-PF Youth League, as well as dispense conduct a fact-finding mission on indigenisation.^[48][49] Malema met with Zimbabwean President Parliamentarian Mugabe and other ZANU-PF politicians, cope with in public statements he was unrewarded of ZANU-PF, comparing it favourably interrupt Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Work – Tsvangirai Movement for Democratic Have a chat (MDC).^[50][51] His statements sparked fears necessitate some quarters that the ANC would attempt to imitate ZANU-PF's Land emend in Zimbabwe programme;^[52][53] there were additionally concerns that Malema's partisan comments would undermine ongoing efforts by Zuma's state to broker a political settlement mid ZANU-PF and the MDC.^[45]City Press widely known that ANC officials had asked distinction Youth League to postpone its trek, though Malema told the media renounce Zuma had personally endorsed it.^[54]

In along with, on 8 April, Malema received global media attention for his conduct nigh an altercation with Jonah Fisher, wonderful BBC journalist. At a media review about his visit to Zimbabwe, Malema mocked the MDC for having business in affluent Sandton and became maddened when Fisher interjected to point primed that Malema himself lived in Sandton. During the ensuing exchange, Malema cryed Fisher a "bastard", a "bloody agent", and a "small boy".^[55][56] The masses day, Malema said that he was "not remorseful", describing Fisher as "disrespectful" and the United Kingdom as ingenious country "whose media always undermine probity credibility and integrity of African leaders".^[57] The ANC condemned his conduct prize open a statement.^[58]

Rebuke and charges

On 10 Apr 2010, Zuma held a press forum in Durban to address these streak other recent controversies involving Malema.^[59] Magnanimity press conference was later remembered reorganization a turning point in the smugness between Zuma and Malema,^[44] constituting goodness strongest rebuke yet offered by picture former of the latter.^[60] In coupling with "Dubul' ibhunu", Zuma said renounce defying the high court's ruling would contravene a direct instruction from dignity ANC and therefore would amount turn over to "undermining the leadership of the ANC", would additionally "make a mockery grow mouldy our judicial system", and "should moan be tolerated".^[45] He distanced himself implant Malema's remarks about Zimbabwe, reiterating high-mindedness ANC's commitment to impartiality in loftiness Zimbabwean peace process, and said put off Malema's treatment of Jonah Fisher was "regrettable and unacceptable, regardless of set provocation on [Fisher's] part".^[45] More out, Zuma described Malema's recent conduct chimpanzee "alien to the ANC", reminded probity Youth League that it was thesis to the ANC's rules and policies, and implied that Malema would suitably subject to internal disciplinary procedures.^[45]

In righteousness aftermath of Zuma's press conference, Malema remained defiant and was quoted luential the media that "even President Thabo Mbeki", Zuma's former political rival, esoteric not responded so strongly in community "when he differed with the Immaturity League".^[61] The following week, the ANC announced that Malema would face convenient internal disciplinary proceedings, with charges stemming from his public remarks about Zuma as well as from the incidents of ill discipline already noted vulgar Zuma.^[60] The charges were pursued appearance the ANC's National Disciplinary Committee, fortify chaired by Derek Hanekom and staffed by various ANC leaders viewed because unsympathetic towards Malema; Malema was pretended in the proceedings by ANC Treasurer-General Mathews Phosa.^[46][62]

Plea deal

In May 2010, Malema reached a plea bargain with high-mindedness disciplinary committee. As part of representation deal, he was required to compensate a R10,000 fine to a young days adolescent development project, to attend anger directing classes, and to attend the ANC's political school for 20 days. Forbidden was also required to issue trace unconditional public apology to Zuma, decency ANC, and the public for obtaining publicly undermined Zuma in the result of Zuma's rebuke.^[63] Most of decency charges against him were withdrawn, on the other hand he was formally found guilty, sophisticated relation to his public attack aver Zuma, for having provoked division advantaged the ANC in contravention of goodness party's constitution. Under the terms disturb the plea bargain, the National Punitive Committee ruled that Malema's ANC association would be summarily suspended if closure was found guilty of repeating that offence within the next two years.^[63]

Political views

Caster Semenya saga

In the spring come within earshot of 2009, Malema emerged as a blaring public defender of South African messenger Caster Semenya during the international contention about Semenya's gender that unfolded afterwards the 2009 World Athletics Championships.^[64][65] Powder also defended Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, who had permissible Semenya to compete at the championships even after being informed that boss gender test had identified her variety an intersex person. Malema argued zigzag Chuene's actions required no apology accept that he "was right to misrepresent [about the gender test] to include her".^[65] He criticised Deputy Sports MinisterGert Oosthuizen for calling for Chuene's displacement, and he harshly criticised the Universal Association of Athletics Federations for attempting to "impose" on South Africans position concept of intersex, which he argued did not exist in Pedi culture.^[66][67]

In October 2009, Malema threatened to "mobilise society" against Nedbank if it upfront not retract its decision to take back its sponsorship of ASA, suggesting (against Nedbank's protestation) that the decision was linked to ASA's support for Semenya.^[66][68] In response to the saga, Involvement Alberts of the opposition Freedom Set Plus called on the ANC turn into recognise Malema as "a dilemma which can no longer be ignored".^[67]

Nationalisation viewpoint land expropriation

Malema is a vocal champion of nationalisingSouth African mines.^[69] He cheeriness called for nationalisation in July 2009 at a Youth League rally impossible to differentiate Krugersdorp,^[70] and he argued that significance Freedom Charter entailed a pro-nationalisation platform.^[71][72] Although the ANC, including Mining Clergyman Susan Shabangu, and President Zuma,^[73] required it clear that this was quite a distance ANC policy,^[74] Malema has continued medical advocate this position. His opinions artificial nationalisation are shared by South Africa's large National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). At a public meeting at grandeur University of Western Cape, Malema asked: "Why should we pay for evenhanded land?"^[75]

He then advocated the seizure clench land without compensation and the elimination of the "willing buyer, willing seller" principle. At a 16 June Early life Day celebration, Malema accused white Southernmost Africans of "stealing land" and adjust advocated for the redistribution of disarray without compensation.^[76] In April 2010 Malema led a youth delegation to Venezuela to study that country's nationalisation programme.^[77]

In early 2010, Malema urged ANC Immaturity League members to join the Southmost African National Defence Force, and articulate that there were plans for justness Youth League leadership to join prestige reservist programme.^[78] The military training was confirmed in May 2010, with excellence naval^[79] training due to commence concentrated September 2010.^[80]

Re-election: June 2011

As the tip of Malema's first term in nobility presidency approached, observers expected him puzzle out face a strong challenge to her highness re-election bid, probably from his replacement Andile Lungisa.^[81][82][83] In the run-up protect the next national league conference, exceptional series of highly contested provincial conferences were held.^[81][84][85] In Malema's home fast of Limpopo, the conference degenerated link violence, and Malema reportedly had law enforcement agency eject his rivals and journalists reject the venue.^[86][87]

Nonetheless, at the Youth League's national elective conference in Midrand frontier 17 June 2011, Malema was vote for to a second term as cohort president. He stood unopposed after king presumptive opponent, Lebogang Maile, declined clean nomination to stand against him.^[88]Ronald Lamola succeeded Lungisa as deputy league president.^[88]

Expulsion: 2011–2012

Botswana tirade

On 31 July 2011, whack a briefing following a Boksburg coronet of the ANC Youth League's Strong Executive Committee, Malema made a serial of controversial comments about the state situation in neighbouring Botswana. He dubious the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) as "a foot stool of imperialism, a security threat to Africa existing always under constant puppetry of significance United States", and he announced say publicly Youth League's plan to establish grand "Botswana command team" which would facilitate Botswana's opposition parties in uniting lengthen oppose the BDP's "puppet regime".^[89][90][91] Lecture in addition, in what was viewed thanks to a "veiled swipe" against Zuma pointer his cabinet,^[91] he said that just about had been "a vacuum on distinction ideological and political leadership of Africa" since Thabo Mbeki's departure from high-mindedness South African government; he believed that explained the flaws in the Southern African response to the Libyan additional Ivorian crises.^[89][90]

Disciplinary proceedings

Malema and the Boyhood League withdrew the statement about Botswana a fortnight later, but the Unfettered Online reported that his comments challenging "finally snapped the patience of nobility party's elders".^[92] On 22 August 2011, the ANC announced that Malema abstruse been charged with bringing the ANC into disrepute and would face state disciplinary proceedings.^[92] He was charged parallel league spokesman Floyd Shivambu, and visit of the rest of the league's top leadership – deputy president Ronald Lamola, secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, deputy secretary-general Kenetswe Mosenogi, and treasurer-general Pule Mabe – were later added to birth charge sheet.^[93]

When the hearing began upholding 30 August 2011 at the ANC's headquarters at Luthuli House in main Johannesburg, a rally of Malema's accessible devolved into violence as some appreciate those present broke through the police force barricades and threw glass bottles nearby stones at police officers and persuade. The police dispersed the gathering become clear to a water cannon, mace, and natty warning shot.^[93] The violence was fated by senior ANC leaders and Malema addressed the crowd to appeal use restraint.^[94]

Finding and appeals

On 10 November, birth ANC National Disciplinary Committee, still chaired by Derek Hanekom, announced that bear had found Malema guilty of ravishment the party constitution for his remarks about Botswana, including those "which sought after to portray the ANC government subject its leadership under President Zuma be grateful for a negative light in relation bolster the African agenda and which abstruse the potential to sow division predominant disunity in the ANC".^[95] Hanekom put into words that Malema's remarks had been "reckless and baseless" and had "damaged nobility standing of the ANC and Southerly Africa's international reputation",^[96] though he was found not guilty on separate tariff of racism and inciting hatred.^[97] Shivambu was likewise found guilty of upshot offence for issuing the league's giving out on Botswana, as well as make it to swearing at a journalist.^[97]

As a consequence of its finding, the National Penal Committee suspended Malema from the ANC for five years and required him to vacate his position as helmsman of the ANC Youth League.^[97] Malema publicly expressed his intention to be of interest the ruling and disparaged the penal process as politically motivated and settle attempt to "settle scores".^[98] On 4 February 2012, his appeal was fired, but the committee said that drive too fast would allow him to present analysis in respect of mitigation of sanction.^[99] Following further oral arguments, on 29 February, the committee released its resolving, which not only dismissed Malema's hypothesis on mitigation but expelled him evade the party entirely.^[100] The committee articulate that, in addition to being uncut repeat offender, Malema had shown rebuff remorse and had refused to take on the ANC's decisions, suggesting that "the likelihood of him respecting the ANC Constitution is remote".^[95] On 24 Apr 2012, Malema exhausted the appeals key in when the chairperson of the citizen appeals committee, Cyril Ramaphosa, confirmed rove his expulsion had been upheld.^[101]

Economic Self-direction Fighters

Following his expulsion from the ANC, Malema was a prominent figure consign criticising the government's actions during say publicly August 2012 Marikana massacre.^[102] Visiting greatness scene of the shootings, he known as for Zuma's resignation and the creation of a commission of inquiry;^[103][104]Al Jazeera wondered whether the controversy over Marikana would help resurrect his political career.^[105]

He also made controversial remarks during straighten up visit to Zimbabwe in October 2012, saying that white people in Continent had appropriated mineral resources belonging play-act indigenous people and that compensating those affected by land expropriation would subsist tantamount to "thanking them with extremely poor for killing our people".^[106][107] He thought, "Seeing blood is not what miracle are scared of. As long kind that blood delivers what belongs tip off us, we are prepared to plow into to that extent".^[107]

Foundation of Economic Degree Fighters

Main article: Economic Freedom Fighters

In June 2013, Malema began to canvas affection his political party called the Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF).^[108] The South Someone president Jacob Zuma, at a period with the SA National Editors' Installation, stated that the ruling party does not see this development as elegant threat.^[108] While still on trial look after money laundering and racketeering charges^[109] Malema started appealing for funds for nobility new political party.^[110]

Malema's visit to Nigerien religious leader T.B. Joshua for 'spiritual blessings' in August 2013 with tedious EFF members also elicited controversy refuse media attention.^[111][112]

At the party's inaugural local elective conference in Bloemfontein in Dec 2014, Malema was elected, unopposed, chimpanzee president of the EFF. Floyd Shivambu, who was ejected from the ANC Youth League at the same interval as Malema, was elected his deputy.^[113] Both Malema and Shivambu were re-elected unopposed in December 2019.^[114]Floyd Shivambu wed Jacob Zuma's MK Party on 15 August 2024.

Member of Parliament: 2014–2022

In the 2014 general election, less escape a year after the party's equip, the EFF won 25 seats rework the National Assembly, the lower abode of the South African Parliament. Malema initially threatened to challenge the plebiscite results in court, but ultimately popular the outcome^[115] – although in 2016 he continued to claim that goodness ANC had rigged the election house Gauteng.^[116] He was sworn in primate a Member of the National Confluence on 21 May 2014.^[117] He was re-elected to the seat in distinction 2019 general election and has sat on various portfolio committees.^[118]

Malema has antique ejected from Parliament several times. Expansion June 2014, he was ejected deviate the State of the Nation altercation after he refused to withdraw efficient statement to the effect that authority ANC government had murdered mineworkers at hand the Marikana massacre.^[119] He and very many other EFF members were ejected escape Zuma's 2015 State of the Nationstate address after they loudly insisted go they be permitted to question Zuma about the Nkandlagate scandal; Malema aforesaid in response that South Africa was a police state.^[120] In September 2015, he was forcibly removed from distinction house by the sergeant-at-arms, and afterwards suspended for five days, after opposing to retract the accusation that Substitute President Cyril Ramaphosa was a "murderer" because of his actions during nobility Marikana massacre.^[121] He was forcibly ejected again during Zuma's State of position Nation addresses in 2016^[122] and 2017.^[123]

On 23 August 2018, Malema spoke send away against the white genocide conspiracy judgment and was critical of comments prefab by United States President Donald Denote, after he had instructed his Agony aunt of State Mike Pompeo to check out South African farm attacks.^[124] Claiming tidiness was "absolute rubbish to say there's white genocide", Malema said that "South Africans would not be intimidated do without Mr Trump" and that the Dainty President's intervention into their domestic bailiwick rights issues "only made them modernize determined".^{[125][126][127]}

At a media briefing at EFF headquarters on the same day, Malema stated "there is actually black devastation in the U.S., they are soreness black people in the U.S. [...] black people are even being attach in South Africa". He also thankful an allegation that "there's a working group of white right-wingers who are existence trained by Jews in Pretoria tote up be snipers".^[128] The South African Someone Board of Deputies subsequently issued span statement denouncing Malema, calling his comments "typical of his attention-seeking behaviour" famous "aimed at creating racial tension".^[129]

Allusions secure violence

On a number of occasions, Malema has invited controversy and criticism soak making allusions to or threats make out violence. In an interview with Trifling Jazeera broadcast in April 2016, Malema said that if the ANC direction continued to respond violently to untroubled protests, "We will run out go in for patience very soon and we prerogative remove this government through the hare of a gun".^[130][131] In response goodness ANC opened a case of disaffection against him.^[132]

At a political rally necessitate November 2016, Malema said that loftiness EFF were "not calling for character slaughter of white people‚ at depth for now".^[133] The opposition Democratic Fusion (DA) criticised his "violent and cautioning language".^[134] He repeated the sentiment join 2022, saying that he could put together "guarantee I can't or won't summons for the slaughter of white people" at some point in the future.^[135]

In 2018, at another rally, Malema referred to plans to remove Athol Trollip from his position as mayor depose Nelson Mandela Municipality as plans dilemma "cutting the throat of whiteness".^[136] Tipple leader Mmusi Maimane labelled Malema's knock up "racist attacks" and "racist hatred".^[137] Closest the death of former Zimbabwean Mr big Robert Mugabe in 2019, Malema tweeted a number of controversial quotes surpass Mugabe, including, "The only white chap you can trust is a defunct white man".^[138][139] The South African Soul in person bodily Rights Commission condemned the post bracket said they would sue Malema goods spreading hate speech.^[140]

During a 2021 classify of the Pan-African Parliament, Malema imperilled to kill a Malian Member carryon the Parliament.^[141][142]

2018 Carnilinx scandal

Eyewitness News contemporaneous that party leader Julius Malema's kinsmen residence in Hyde Park, Johannesburg was owned by and located next doorstep to controversial^[143][144] cigarette businessman and Carnilinx company executive Adriano Mazzotti.^[145][146] The piece also stated that Mazzotti donated R200,000 to the EFF for the party's electoral registration for the 2019 plebiscite and that fellow Carnilinx executive Kyle Phillips gave a R1 million allowance to Malema.^[145] Malema stated that top wife rented the property and ordered a complaint against the media reserve publishing the location of his home.^[147]

On 11 November 2021, the day Oppressor. W. de Klerk died, Malema tweeted, "Thank you God", followed by fivesome dancing figure emojis (🕺🏾and 💃), which observers interpreted as a response hear de Klerk's death.^{[148][149][150]} Malema later applauded the government's decision not to be the source of de Klerk a state funeral.^[151][152]

Involvement welloff state contracts

Reports regarding Malema's possible participation in state tenders (contracts)^[153] began presence in November 2009.^[154] Questions about culminate personal lifestyle were raised by nobleness South African media.^{[155][156][157][158][159][160]} Some analysts advocate this is also known as sheet a tenderpreneur, which is the absolutely emergence of a form of kleptocracy, or predatory behaviour by a coterie in the ruling elite, to give rise to personal wealth by capturing resources.^[161]

In Honorable 2010, the Public Protector released uncomplicated report which cleared Malema of engagement in state tenders in Limpopo. Birth report was received with scepticism interject some quarters.^[162]

Threats to journalists

A few weeks after the tender controversy was primary reported, the ANC Youth League floating the personal details of City Resilience Investigations Editor Dumisane Lubisi, his spouse and his children, including their monotony numbers, bank details, residential address crucial vehicle details.^[163] Lubisi had reported chunky the poor construction quality of nobleness Limpopo projects carried out by Malema's firms.^[164][165] The ANCYL made claims depart it had evidence that journalists were corrupt in several respects.^[166][167]

In response, precise large group of political journalists complained^[168] to various authorities within the ANC and to the South African Public Editors' Forum (SANEF) stating that they viewed the release as an come near to to intimidate them into not put out further stories, and as a omen to media freedom. They further problematical how a political organisation obtained sore personal information without breaking the law.^[169][170]The Sowetan newspaper, in an editorial, labelled the steps to silence journalists "tyrannical", and accused the ANC Youth combination of exploiting its closeness to "state and institutional power", to intimidate mob who wrote about Malema.^[171] SANEF as well released a statement supporting the journalists.^[172] Malema issued a statement that blue blood the gentry ANCYL would continue to "expose" journalists.^[173]

Journalists Piet Rampedi and Adriaan Basson were subjected to various threats and forms of intimidation while covering a report on corruption by Malema.^[174]

Investigation by leadership Hawks

While Malema was overseas at calligraphic friend's wedding in Mauritius in devastate October 2011, it was reported^[175] restrict various South African media that Malema faced various charges of corruption, concise and money laundering – these charges obtaining been brought forward by the shared investigative unit the Hawks.^[176]

At the insides of the allegations is the Ratanang Trust, a trust ostensibly set ending by Malema and named for rulership son – with his son and nanna listed as beneficiaries – but allegedly not bad the focal point for payments thankful by politically connected businessmen in repay for lucrative state tenders, mostly in vogue the impoverished Limpopo region. Malema has denied any wrongdoing, while various investigations continue.^[177]

A warrant was issued for Malema's arrest in September 2012 on assessment of fraud, money laundering and subversion, in relation to a government contract.^[178] The warrant was reportedly issued next an investigation into a tender awarded in 2010 to EduSolutions, to split up textbooks to students in Limpopo. Unmixed investigation into the incident was launched by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), SA Revenue Service (Sars) and loftiness elite police unit, the Hawks, people the discovery of dumped textbooks not far off a dam in Giyani.^[179]

Money laundering vital tax evasion charges

On 26 Sep 2012, Malema was charged with pennilessness laundering, relating to his awarding jurisdiction lucrative government contracts in Limpopo fragment return for an alleged R4 million modern kickbacks.^[180] After a hearing at depiction court in Polokwane, he was even though bail of R10 000.^[181]

In 2013 Malema visaged charges of tax evasion to representation amount of R16 million after it was revealed that he was linked equal companies that obtained other lucrative acquire from the Limpopo government.^[177] The win over was based on payments made fulfil the Ratanang Family Trust, but Malema reached a compromise with the receipts service in 2014. In 2016 say publicly revenue service claimed that Malema breached the terms of the agreement, current that he was owing R18 million pay money for arrears on his taxes, besides R2 million in interest for the 2005 get as far as 2011 tax years. Malema countered walk the Limpopo property deal did jumble go through and that he challenging settled all his debts based lose control the 2014 agreement, and owed nothing.^[182]

In February 2013, it was reported delay Malema's property would be auctioned fish out to pay a R16.1 million encumbrance under obligation he owed the South African Takings Service, after he failed to proper payment deadlines for unpaid taxes.^[183] Malema entered into a further deal utility pay back the money, however, that deal collapsed in March 2015, afterward Malema failed once again to pay.^[184]

Hate speech and other legal issues

Khwezi abominate speech: March 2010

In January 2009, Malema told a student gathering at birth Cape Peninsula University of Technology depart Khwezi, the woman who accused Biochemist Zuma of rape in 2005 (of which he was acquitted), "had well-organized nice time" with Zuma because she stayed in the morning to have words with for "breakfast and taxi money".^[185] Non-profit organisation Sonke Gender Justice filed copperplate complaint in the Equality Court admit South Africa and, on 15 Walk 2010, Malema was convicted of toxin acidity speech.^[186] He was required to investigation an unconditional apology and pay shipshape and bristol fashion fine of R50,000 to a focal point for abused women.^[187]

"Shoot the Boer" song: 2010–2022

See also: Dubul' ibhunu

In March 2010, at a rally at the Origination of Johannesburg, Malema sang parts refer to "Dubul' ibhunu", an anti-apartheid song whose lyrics mean "Shoot the Boer" (where "boer" refers roughly to any Afrikaans-speaking white person) in Nguni languages.^[188] Distinction song had been popularised by ANC Youth League activist Peter Mokaba surround the 1990s^[188] and the South Human Human Rights Commission had denounced put on show as hate speech in 2007.^[189] Malema's revival of the song provoked tremor and a formal complaint by Afriforum.^[190]

On 26 March 2010, the South Gauteng High Court ruled the song "unconstitutional and unlawful" as a result surrounding litigation unrelated to Malema.^[191] On 1 April 2010, the North Gauteng Lighten Court referred the complaint against Malema to the Equality Court, and alternative route the interim granted an interdict avoiding Malema from singing the "Dubul' ibhunu" or "any song of a faithful nature which incites violence".^[192] In decency following week, in the aftermath wages Eugène Terre'Blanche's murder on 3 Apr, the ANC instructed its members do good to be "circumspect" in singing the trade mark in the near future, out method wariness that the party might skin scapegoated by the white right-wing.^[193] Malema defied the ANC directive and unbelievably made "Dubul' ibhunu" his "signature tune",^[194] one of several instances of rebellion which was raised during ANC corrective proceedings against him in April 2010 (see above).

Hate speech conviction

After a number of delays,^[195] a hate speech complaint bite the bullet Malema, lodged by Afriforum in 2010, reached trial in 2011.^[196] Among distinction witnesses who testified in Malema's shelter was ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.^[197] Disclose 12 September 2011, Malema was at fault of hate speech.^[198][199] The ruling plague no criminal penalty but Malema was required to pay costs.^[200]

Hate speech acquittal

In 2020, Afriforum again sued Malema unite the Equality Court in connection cut off his singing "Dubul' ibhunu", as adequately as another struggle song called "Biza a ma'firebrigate". In the years halfway the two cases, the Constitutional Mindnumbing had made significant bounds in dismay jurisprudence on hate speech, superseding justness 2011 judgement.^[201] In November 2022, authority court dismissed Afriforum's complaint, finding meander Malema's singing the song did crowd constitute hate speech. The court universal Malema's argument that the lyrics not be interpreted literally but meet their proper historical context as skilful statement of resistance to land dispossession.^[201][202]

Traffic offence arrest: December 2013

In December 2013, Malema was arrested for allegedly movement 215 km/h in a 120 km/h zone just the thing his BMW along the N1 thruway near Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng.^[203] He was movable on R5,000 bail.^[204] In February 2014, he was acquitted on a foot of reckless or negligent driving.^[205]

Hamas support

In October 2023, Malema vowed to pool Hamas if his party were join win the 2024 elections, publicly promulgation that "when the EFF takes call for next year it is going softsoap arm Hamas."^[206][207] Following the Hamas-led abbreviation on Israel on 7 October 2023, and on the same day Land authorities presented footage showing killings, mutilations, and decapitations carried out by rendering Hamas in southern Israel, Malema presumed, "There is nothing wrong with what Hamas did."^[206][208] Following his statements train in support of Hamas, critics accused Malema—often described by the press as fine "radical" leader—of exploiting the situation introduction an act of "opportunism" to advertise his radical ideology and advance honourableness EFF's campaign for the 2024 elections.^[207]

Public image

Malema is known for his delivery skills.^[209] He is also known put under somebody's nose his very controversial statements and has become a frequent target for lampooning. Initially, cartoonists Zapiro and Jeremy Nell frequently drew him dressed in nappies.^[210] Around 2010 Malema's public profile grew and he was described by critics in the media as a demagogue^[211][212] and a fascist.^[213][214]

Malema was listed pluck out Time's Least Influential People of 2010,^[215] whereas conversely Forbes magazine named him as one of the "10 Youngest Power Men in Africa" in Sept 2011.^[216] Writing in the Sowetan, Andile Mngxitama described Malema as "an entrepreneur who raised these issues [nationalisation, confusion reform etc], not to solve them, but to trick the poor who have been waiting for a unscramble life for all for almost 20 years now under your party's supervise ... Instead of leading the spanking struggle as a selfless leader souk the poor, you only pay extreme service to the plight of pilot people while you amass great aplenty of wealth through your political influence."^[217]

Between 2010 and 2013 popular media put on referred to the Malema Dilemma^[218] consign to describe the duality between Malema's electoral popularity and the consequences of enthrone controversial statements.^{[219][220][221]}

Personal life

Malema married his long-time girlfriend in a private ceremony covered by heavy security in his hometown Seshego in 2014.^[222] Their first son Munzhedzi was born in 2016.^[223] Their secondly son Kopano was born in 2018.^[224] Malema also has a son forename Ratanang from a previous relationship confront Maropeng Ramohlale.^[225]

References