A screengrab of Barry Bateman from the infamous clip – Photo: Twitter
A screengrab of Barry Bateman from the infamous clip – Photo: Twitter
Julius Malema doesn’t half stir up the emotions in South Africa. But one journalist may have just about had all he can take with the divisive EFF leader. EWN‘s Barry Bateman has fallen foul of a rather unfortunate camera placement, which captured him saying something… debatable… after the interview had finished.
Did Julius Malema just get called a p**s on TV?
Juju, who was ranting about the assault charges filed against him by Hawks, gave a bellicose statement where he expressed regret over “not hitting a security guard harder” during a fracas at the Winnie Mandela memorial service last April. He cranked up the volume and appeared animated as ever.
When Malema turned and walked away, the cameras kept rolling and Bateman unfortunately drifted into view. That’s when we were given this moment of hilarity. Just seconds before this, the CIC said that neither he nor his comrades were scared of anyone – “whether they were white or pink”:
@ewnreporter Your “journalists” can call @Julius_S_Malema a “poes” all they like ??, he’s fearless & telling you the truth.
— Sonyekethwayo (@Malabulabu945) September 10, 2019
As for @PaulivW, we use the term “investigative journalist” very loosely in this country, hers & @dailymaverick reporting is an injustice to VBS victims. pic.twitter.com/DVtupfV6H2
(The views expressed by the video uploader do not necessarily reflect the views of thesouthafrican.com)
Who is Barry Bateman?
Well, the verdict is in from Twitter, and an overwhelming majority are convinced that a “P-bomb” has been dropped there. What’s not so clear is the word uttered before that, but it looks to be more foul language. Bateman has already had his trial by media, but there may be a mitigating circumstance to consider.
The reporter looks very unhappy with his audio devices, there. He continues to stare at it, as he tees of with the explosive tirade. We’ve all called our technology some god-awful names in a fit of rage before, and if Barry needs an escape route, he should try and shift the blame to his equipment sharpish.
Jou ma se Malema
Although, there’s every chance the media supremo is just saying what he really feels. Bateman and five of his colleagues brought legal action against Julius Malema earlier this year. The South African National Editors Forum had previously argued that Juju had been threatening journalists in Mzansi.
Malema has denied any wrongdoing in the case, and remains confident of defeating Sanef in court. We’ve got a feeling that the “p-word” could, perhaps, be exchanged between the two parties again one day soon.
