Malema says state has no real case

JULIUS Malema, EFF commander in chief, says the postponement of the fraud and corruption case against him clearly shows that the state has no real case against him.

Malema was speaking to thousands of supporters yesterday (Tuesday) shortly after the Polokwane high court postponed the case to August 3 next year for trial.

“They must move this case closer, even if they try me alone. I am ready to stand trial now,” Malema said.

He appeared before the court with his co-accused Lesiba Gwangwa and Kagiso Dichabe, and faced various charges including racketeering, fraud and corruption.

While Malema held the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) responsible for the postponement, saying it was a strategy to try and find evidence against him, state prosecutor Andrew Laka asked judge Ephraim Makgoba to postpone the trial as some of the defence advocates were not available.

Malema spoke out strongly against the ANC when he addressed the crowd outside court.

“The ANC has a mind like a rat. When people talk about the ANC, they can’t finish without talking about corruption. The ANC bragged that those who left the party would suffer in the cold. I’m proving them wrong. My mission is to show that there is life outside the ANC,” he said.

“Those who do right things are punished and those who do wrong are celebrated. We must fight and not be scared. Even if they kill us, some will remain and carry on the struggle for the liberation of our people. People vote for the EFF because of our clear and open programmes. We need our land back without compensation.”

“We are not in any working relationship with the DA, as ANC members are alleging. If we are telling the truth and the DA support us, it doesn’t mean we are working together,” Malema said.

Malema’s aunt, Nurse Malema said the family was tired of the NPA’s tendency to request postponements without valid reasons. She concurred that there was no case against her nephew.