Malema skips testimony in SAHRC inquiry hot seat for ‘occupy land’ claims

EFF leader Julius Malema was expected on Thursday to provide reasons to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) inquiry behind comments made during Alexandra protests in April where he encouraged supporters to occupy land.

The EFF leader could not make it to the inquiry today but sent his apologies for the absence. He, however, requested the EFF’s provincial chairperson, Mandisa Mashego, and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi to provide oral submissions on his behalf. He made it clear that he still intends to be part of the process.

You can watch their testimony live below, courtesy of the SABC.

The SAHRC inquiry was formed to probe reasons behind protests which left the township in a standstill due to an uproar over service delivery before the May elections.

Malema is expected to provide insight into his comments, a request made by SAHRC’s spokesperson Buang Jones after the Gauteng human settlements department testified at the commissions’ head office in Braamfontein on Wednesday.

Malema made the utterances on land occupation outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on May 3.

This is not the first time the EFF leader has called for the occupation of vacant land. He is already facing fierce legal consequences. In September last year, following a court appearance, he reiterated his intent of expropriating land without compensation whether or not this was in violation of the law.

“Whether we are prosecuted or not, the land will be expropriated without compensation,” he said.

These words and other statements from the EFF leader have landed him in trouble, as he has faced separate charges over them in both the Bloemfontein and Newcastle Magistrate’s courts.

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