STATEMENT BY JULIUS MALEMA ON THE CHARGES BROUGHT BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN STATE

26 September 2012 

Today, the 26th of September 2012 I Julius Sello Malema appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate Court on charges of money laundering, which the South African state came as a result of payments, which the State alleges were made into my account.

I pleaded not guilty to the charges brought by the State, and agreed to pay bail of R10 000 as ordered by the Court for a Schedule 1 offence. I instructed my Legal representatives to plead with the Court to immediately proceed with the case because I believe that I deserve an opportunity to present my side of the story and clear my name.

For a considerable amount of time, the South African law enforcement agencies and media have been spreading rumours of my arrest therefore creating a dark cloud of suscipicion of a possibility of illegality on my part. It can never be correct with an arrest warrant issued by the State, the prosecution can now ask for postponement for more than 60 days, delaying justice and denying me an opportunity to present my side of the story.

In a fair and just process, it can never be correct to delay justice and create a dark cloud over my head on an allegation that I am involved in illegal activities. Unlike others, I am not involved and will never be involved in activities that seek to delay the Court proceedings. I have made assurances publicly and to the authorities that I will co-operate with all processes of the law until the end, because doing anything contrary compromises justice and fairness.

It is conclusively irresponsible for the State to issue a warrant of arrest, and take me to Court whilst they still cannot produce a docket to justify and offer basis on why I am charged and what I am expected to respond to. The rushing of the charging seems to be inspired by other considerations than justice, because what is consequent of the route taken by the State is just creation on a dark cloud. 

It is very strange that some political leaders who are compromised and insisted that my arrest be expedited are the ones who should respond to more than 700 charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering with an almost 100% chance of conviction because the Corruptor has already been convicted and sentenced to a prison term.

The whole of South Africa should increase and intensify the legitimate calls for charges against some of these people who are running away from Courts to be held responsible in proper Courts of law. The rule of law should never be undermined because people have political offices and power. All South Africans, including Jacob Zuma should be equal before the law.

I fairly believe that the South African State carries a Constitutional obligation to protect my rights as a South African citizen and should never partake in activities that will result in a public Court of opinion and speculations, which in actual fact amount to public persecution. I am aware that senior government officials, including at National cabinet level have agitated Law enforcement authorities to expedite my arrest and detain me as a means of trying to silence and disrupt the political activities I am involved in as a revolutionary activist and Economic Freedom Fighter.

As we said before, we will never do anything that seek to undermine the rule of law. Attempts to silence our political activities and involvement will never succeed because we carry a revolutionary obligation to speak on behalf of the oppressed and downtrodden masses. Attempts to banish us and isolate us from the ANC have never succeeded and I'll never succeed.  

On Thursday, we are visiting mineworkers in the North West to pledge solidarity to workers who are protesting for better wages and salaries and will forever be with the people whose struggles are about improvement of the living and working conditions of our people. The struggle for economic freedom is in motion and no amount of suppression and intimidations will silence us. No surrender! No retreat! ASIJIKI! 

Statement issued by Julius Malema, ANC Youth League 24th National Congress President and Economic Freedom Fighter, September 26 2012

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