Julius Malema

South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema gives a press conference on February 15, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. / AFP PHOTO / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

NPA slam AfriForum’s decision to privately prosecute Malema

The NPA say they will not be rushed and dictated to by AfriForum.

Julius Malema

South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema gives a press conference on February 15, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. / AFP PHOTO / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

AfriForum’s decision to prosecute Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema has not  been met with the greatest of enthusiasm by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), who labeled the move as interference.

On Thursday morning, AfriForum’s Advocate Gerrie Nel pretty much demanded that the NPA reinstate a fraud and corruption case against the red berets’ Commander in Chief, or his organisation would be forced to forge ahead with a private prosecution.

NPA spokesperson, Luvuyo Mfaku said the body was yet to make a decision on whether to prosecute Malema, who’s initial case was struck off the roll in 2015, after one of his co-accused fell ill.

“AfriForum is very disingenuous in rushing to make an announcement to the public, while we are still considering the matter,” Mfaku said.

“The NPA will not be pressured by AfriForum – they will not dictate to us either. If there are prospects of a successful prosecution, then we will prosecute. If there (aren’t) then we will not prosecute.”

A defiant Malema was unshaken by the prospect of being prosecuted, and challenged AfriForum to “bring it on”.


AfriForum had also made similar demands to the NPA, this time with regards to former President, Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, who is set to be prosecuted on charges of culpable homicide, following a 2014 car accident, which left a woman death.

Much like Malema, Zuma’s case was also struck off the roll in 2015, despite Magistrate Lathitha Chetty finding enough evidence in a judiciary inquiry, that the businessman had acted negligently when his Porsche collided with a minibus taxi in which the woman was in.

The NPA announced on Thursday that charges against Zuma will be reinstated, with the matter forwarded to National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shaun Abrahams to ensure it is enrolled in court.

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