It’s never a dull day with a politician like Julius Malema in Parliament. However, as amusing as his antics are to some, anti-social behaviour is not what we expect from people we elect as leaders and key decision-makers on legislation. This latest controversy, which involves a physical altercation in a fast food outlet, won’t do Malema’s image any favours. The footage does not have audio, but the body language doesn’t look good. Let’s hope the police get to the bottom of this one soon. – JC
Criminal charges will be laid against EFF leader Julius Malema for allegedly assaulting a Limpopo man, AfriForum deputy chief executive Ernst Roets said on Thursday.
According to a sworn statement and CCTV footage, Cassie Moller became involved in a confrontation with Malema at the counter of a Limpopo fast food outlet around 2am on August 6, Roets told reporters in Pretoria.
“While I was looking in front of me, I felt a heavy slap on my back,” Moller said in his statement, read by Roets.
“When I turned around, there was a person standing very close to me and who asked me in a very hostile way: ‘Who do you think you are?'”
Moller said Malema called him a “boer”.
“He started telling us ‘get out, get out’ and he called me a ‘boer’ again. His tone of voice clearly showed his intention to use the word in a derogatory manner,” said Moller.
Moller said he had asked staff why an order placed by his wife was taking long. Malema was accompanied by several men. Moller said he and his wife were surrounded.
“Malema continued to push me around and I continued to explain that I just wanted to ask for a refund and go home. I noticed that more people started flocking together and I became panic-stricken,” Moller said.
“I was especially concerned for my wife because I would not have been in a position to protect her from the group of men. It was a very intimidating situation.”
Moller said Malema became increasingly aggressive.
“He started shouting louder and swore at me in the words ‘fuck you, you boer. Fuck you’.”
“He also said ‘I will fuck you up!’ He then pushed me hard.”
The CCTV footage does not have audio.
Roets said charges of assault, intimidation and crimen injuria against the Economic Freedom Fighters leader would be opened at the Tzaneen police station in Limpopo.
Explaining why the charges were only being laid two months later, Roets said they had problems getting the CCTV footage.
The EFF could not immediately be reached for comment.
Source : Sapa /jm/jje/th
