Julius Malema EFF Karima Brown

Photo: Twitter / EFF

Karima Brown vs EFF: Verdict on hold, but Malema could pay a hefty fee

Karima Brown has a got a list of demands for Julius Malema, as the reporter battles to hold the EFF leader to account after he shared her number online.

Julius Malema EFF Karima Brown

Photo: Twitter / EFF

The court case pitting Karima Brown against the EFF concluded its first day on Monday, with judgement being reserved in the Johannesburg High Court. The journalist is at odds with the political party after Julius Malema inadvertently shared her contact details online. The subsequent abuse she received was nothing short of horrific.

Both parties have been arguing their cases. Judge Dippenaar has promised to come to a speedy resolution over whether Juju should be charged or not. But Brown has made it abundantly clear what she is seeking from the trial.

What Karima Brown wants from Julius Malema

If successful, the reporter is asking Malema for a spot of humility – a request we wish her all the best with because she could be waiting a while. Brown is seeking a full public apology from him, free of any caveats or exceptions.

She also wants the IEC to declare that the political leader breached the Electoral Code by publishing harmful information which could influence the election – Julius Malema has frequently referred to Brown as an agent of the ANC, yet presents very little evidence to substantiate these claims.

But what could be a real kicker for Malema is the amount in damages Karima Brown is seeking. She wants R100 000 from Juju should the court find him guilty, which could potentially happen before Wednesday’s election.

Judgement wanted “sooner rather than later” from Karima Brown’s team

Brown’s legal team have argued that it’s imperative for the judge to share the decision before 8 May, as it could have a significant impact on the way people choose to vote:

“The repetition and aggravation of the claims, from mole to state security agent cast doubt on his claim that he didn’t do this intentionally. The election is in two days and if Mr Malema has broken the electoral commission rules, the public deserves to know this before they vote.”

Advocate George Budlender

EFF, Julius Malema lawyers argue Brown is “biased”

Meanwhile, the lawyer fighting Malema’s case wasn’t about to back down any time soon. Vuyani Ngalwana accused Brown of having an agenda against the EFF, and that the only thing she can complain about is “being offended”:

“We submit that the applicant has not conducted herself in a manner that is objective and fair, as espoused by the Press Code. It is possible that certain journalists would follow a certain course or opine in a certain manner in order to keep their jobs. No right was infringed. You don’t have the right not to be offended.”