AfriForum lays charges of corruption against Julius Malema to police

AfriForum today submitted a charge of corruption against Julius Malema to the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (Act 12 of 2004.

The complaint relates to disclosures in Sunday newspapers that Malema allegedly used the Ratanang Family Trust, of which he was the only trustee, as a vehicle to receive payments of business persons, in exchange for his helping those businesspeople to secure government tenders (see City Press report).

The allegation that the businessman Matome Hlamboa - who successfully obtained some R200 million in government tenders in Limpopo - made a vehicle valued at R1, 2 million available to Malema and did him a number of other favours, also forms part of the complaint.

"He may think he's untouchable, but Julius Malema is certainly not above the law. Corruption legislation expressly states that it is a criminal offense to receive rewards in return for help in obtaining government tenders, " said Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum.

As well as the corruption allegations, the fact that Malema's lifestyle and property is disproportionate to his salary are sound reasons to justify extensive police investigation, Kriel added.

According to Kriel it would be scandalous if someone like Malema - who boasts that he represents the poor people - is found guilty of looting the treasury to enrich himself at the expense of service delivery to poor people.

AfriForum will monitor the police investigation to ensure that justice is done and nothing is swept under the carpet.

The case number CAS 747/7/2011. Contact the Brooklyn police station at 012 366 1700.

Statement issued by Kallie Kriel, CEO: AfriForum, July 24 2011

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