STAR REPORTS AGAINST MALEMA UNTRUE AND OPPORTUNISTIC
The ANC and the ANCYL condemns with contempt reports by the Star Newspaper, dated 19 February 2010, under the heading "Malema Millions" suggesting that the ANC YL President, Julius Malema (i) "owns two multimillion rand homes- both of which he bought for cash" (ii) "owns a black Mercedez Benz... and reportedly drives an Aston Martin, and a red Range Rover sport and he went to a lecture at Wits University in a brand new white Range Rover with no number plate" (iii) that he earns twenty thousand rands a month.
These reports (see here) are not only far-fetched, but they are also untrue as much as they are deceitful. In our view they are meant to tarnish the good name and image of the ANC Youth League President.
The first untrue fabrication in the report is that Cde Julius has bought houses for cash. Cde Julius Malema has not at any stage bought any house for cash. Like every body else, he has purchased whatever houses or property registered in his name through banks.
The second untrue fabrication is an impression created through the report that Cde Julius owns four expensive cars. We like to state on record that Cde Julius has one car in his name.
The third untruth is the reported twenty thousand rands monthly salary that Cde Julius earns from the ANC. This is again very far from the truth.
The ANC together with the ANC YL would like the Star Newspaper to retract its untrue and fallacious claims as contained in this article and apologize publicly to cde Malema. If the newspaper fails to do so, we will be left with no option but to approach the press ombudsman. We will support any action on the side of the President of the YL, Cde Julius Malema against the newspaper in defense of his name, image and integrity.
It is very unfortunate that a newspaper as reputable as the Star would stoop so low by reporting so inaccurately about the personal affairs of any person including Cde Julius Malema. As this is the so called first installment in the audit of the life style of the South African politicians by this newspaper, we are left wondering if the first installment and if the first series is so off the mark, what can we expect to follow. We will also want to be provided reasons, through the apology that we are demanding, as to the actual intentions of the Star Newspaper and its reporter of putting to the public so inaccurate information bordering on defaming the Youth League President.
Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC National Spokesperson, and Floyd Shivambu, ANC spokesperson, February 19 2010
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