AfriForum files charges of assault, intimidation and crimen injuria against Julius Malema

AfriForum today assisted a member of the public in submitting criminal charges of assault, intimidation and crimen injuria against MP and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema. The charges stem from an incident which occurred at a take-away restaurant in Tzaneen, Limpopo on 6 August 2014.

CCTV footage of the incident was also released to the media. The footage shows the entire incident and can be viewed by clicking on this link.

Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO at AfriForum explained that they took the decision to assist the victim after he approached the civil rights organisation. "The incident sketches a clear image of Malema as a bully who regards himself above the law and his fellow citizens. We cannot allow public representatives to act like criminals without facing the consequences."

The video footage clearly shows how Malema pushes the victim at least three times, how he waves his finger in the victim's face and how Malema yells at him. Although the CCTV cameras did not capture audio, the victim submitted an affidavit at the police, confirming under oath the verbal assault which took place. Malema cursed the victim repeatedly and called him a "boer" (farmer). At one stage he yelled: "I will f*ck you up!".

The victim explained that the incident left him helpless and that he felt intimidated, especially as his wife was also on the scene and surrounded by Malema's followers.

Provincial Coordinator for AfriForum in Limpopo, Morné Mostert assisted the victim this morning to submit the charges at the Tzaneen Police Station.

Statement issued by Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, October 23 2014

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