Julius Malema flanked by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and security / Image: TheSouthAfrican

“Superior logic” – EFF post a very smug reaction to SAHRC hate speech ruling

The EFF are positively crowing about the SAHRC’s decision not to press hate speech charges against Julius Malema, blasting their critics for “opposing free speech”.

by Tom Head

28-03-2019 08:54

in News

Julius Malema flanked by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and security / Image: TheSouthAfrican

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) let Julius Malema off the hook on Wednesday, after five separate complaints of hate speech were raised against him. The institution found that the EFF leader could not be convicted of a crime, as his utterances were protected by the constitution.

Juju treads a very fine line with his right to free speech. He’s previously threatened to “slit the throat of whiteness” and has repeatedly defied court orders to stop telling his followers they must illegally occupy land. The man doesn’t give a hoot how offensive his language is, no matter who he upsets.

EFF react to SAHRC judgement

That bellicose attitude has become a staple of the EFF and their brand identity: They take more risks with their statements and aren’t afraid to go pile on the insults when they end up rowing with someone. The party have reacted to the SAHRC judgement in typically bombastic fashion:

“Those who laid complaints against us want to suppress legitimate criticism of our society’s ills. They seek to shut-down the debate about land expropriation, white privilege and the abusive treatment many African people face at the hands of their Indian bosses.”
“The EFF makes no apology for being robust and naming issues as they are. To end racism and white privilege, we must always speak the truth and name issues for what they are. The findings of the SAHRC are indeed consistent with superior logic.”
EFF statement

What hate speech did Julius Malema use?

That “superior logic” term is used by the EFF to describe their own political mantra, winding up the opposition along the way. The party also revealed what other complaints were filed against them, and Julius Malema wasn’t the only party member in the firing line.

As well as abusive language towards white people and Afrikaners, Juju was also under the cosh for what he’d said about Indian citizens. However, Secretary-General Godrich Gardee also faced an investigation for referring to Mmusi Maimane as a “garden boy”.

Their comments were deemed “offensive”, but did not constitute hate speech. With just six weeks to go until the 2019 Elections, you can expect Malema to crank up the rhetoric over the next month-and-a-half.