EFF leader Julius Malema addresses a press conference, September 5, 2019. Picture: Twitter (@EFFSouthAfrica)
In an effort to be accessible to journalists in addressing allegations of the EFF being implicated in the “looting of VBS” bank funds, EFF leader Julius Malema said he saw it fitting to face the allegations head-on, in a conversation with various political reporters in order tackle unanswered questions.
Moving straight to a Polokwane “On-Point Investments” tender matter before the court, which Malema was implicated in through his family trust, Malema said he had never avoided any court processes before the court.
On VBS allegations, Malema said government should not have put the bank under curatorship.
“Rescue a black bank and arrest the perpetrators. Why should it be closed now? Let’s arrest criminal elements and rescue the bank.
“I’ve never spoken to VBS people. I’ve never had any dealings with VBS people.
“I’ve got no one close to me who benefitted from VBS bank.”
Fielding a question on why a Mahuna Investments credit card was always used in the same vicinity as Malema, Malema said it was his brother’s card, and he could not attest as to why the card was used where he was.
“From where I stand, my brothers have done nothing wrong.”
He said he never benefited any cent from VBS, before explaining that he could not verify how his brother or cousins settled a bill to a meal or drinks he had consumed.
“My family has engaged in clean business.”
Advocate Shamila Batohi recently briefed the country on the progress of prosecutions after the disappearance of over R2 billion, which led to the liquidation of VBS Bank.
Malema stressed that people were going to be arrested, CFOs, ANC politicians, and many others.
Malema said journalists banned from EFF press briefings would remain banned as some were “masquerading as journalists” and he claimed they were captured by forces who paid them for stories.
“These are criminals masquerading as journalists. I will defend journalism destroyed by brown envelopes,” he claimed.
He said the links on VBS and the EFF were a mere smear campaign against the party and him, allegedly by Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan.
His strategy was to “discredit your opponent”. He said the aim of the smear campaign was not to take “you through a trial”.
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