WATCH: Malema explains his fight with Lekota

Talking to journalists about what had led to the argument between himself and Cope leader Terror Lekota, Malema said that it stems from Lekota’s claiming the process at the land hearing in Limpopo on Wednesday was staged.

Malema said Lekota was losing the debate on the land issue and so became emotional. “The people on the ground are saying something different, it is not our problem if Lekota’s views do not find an expression, he must not create his own imagination (sic),” Malema said.

A video of the dispute reveals that Malema was perhaps more confrontational than his account suggests, telling Lekota “I’ll fight you.”

Lekota is fiercely opposed to expropriation of land without compensation. During his debate of the State of the Nation Address, Lekota said: “Section 25 [of the Constitution] says that no one may be deprived of their property. It also says that where expropriation happens it must be with compensation.”

Malema said he dismissed Lekota’s charges yesterday that the public hearing had been staged, saying it had not been a farce as members of all South Africa’s race groups, genders and ages were given a fair opportunity to share their views.

READ MORE: Malema and Lekota get into a fight at Limpopo land hearing

“Our chairperson, who is the most democratic chairperson, said to all of us, if you want to chair and if you see someone you feel very strongly that they must be recognised, bring that person to my attention, I’ll recognise that person,” Malema said.

He said this led Lekota to saying the process is staged. “I said no, Terror, you are wrong, it’s not staged. Okay, if you think the process is staged, Terror, take the mic and then point at the people that you think we are overlooking and the whole thing will continue.”

Malema says that this is when the argument between them ensued, which ended with Lekota walking away.

Malema also said that Lekota is unable to accept that land expropriation without compensation is the will of the people, adding that the Cope leader does not have the numbers to do anything about it.

“(Lekota is) crying, he is going to cry tears, the people want the section to be amended, there’s nothing he can do about it, Cope does not have people, Terror is the membership of Cope, he is the leadership of Cope,” the EFF leader said.