“Media should be ashamed for not covering EFF Women’s March,” says Malema

Speaking at the Rand Show, EFF Commander in Chief, Julius Malema, said the media and public should be ashamed for focusing on the Inanda Country Club scandal, and not the Women’s March.

Malema was disappointed that EFF women demanding something new – the retraining of judges, for one – received practically no media coverage. He added that the general perception is that “EFF females are not females.”

He said: “[EFF women] can be raped, they can say whatever they want, as long as they are EFF [the media will not] cover it. That’s the attitude in the media.”

Read – In photos: EFF Women’s March against gender-based violence

He added that they are fine with it because “it’s a struggle”. Malema said they cannot expect the media to cover the EFF “the same way they cover the DA”.

According to Malema, the media “close out such a powerful statement by women” while claiming that the EFF does nothing for women.

When he brought the matter up with the SABC, the broadcaster said they were not aware of the march. However, Malema said that wasn’t an excuse as the march was trending on social media.

Justice for women

On the day of the march, more than 5 000 women gathered in front of the Constitutional court to hand over a memorandum. Commissar Thembi Msane said cases of gender-based violence must be thoroughly investigated.

The memorandum also demanded that attempted murder be listed as an additional charge. When in defence against sexual crimes, or crimes committed against the elderly and children.

In addition, the marchers called on the judiciary system to produce a public record of sexual offenders. These must include full identification details and a photo of the perpetrator.

Inanda Country Club scandal

Malema’s comments follow after news of his joining the Inanda Country Club in Hyde Park went viral. According to the Sunday Times, Malema and his wife are listed as new members.

This caused an uproar on social media. Malema has based his identity around being a fighter for the working class and the poverty-stricken.

Watch: Julius Malema slamming the media

[MUST WATCH]: CIC @Julius_S_Malema says media should be ashamed for not covering #EFFWomensMarch who were demanding something new, that has never been demanded before #CICAtTheRandShow pic.twitter.com/7P8eoCcYBl

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) April 23, 2019