Juju free for now

POLOKWANE – THE case of over 50 charges of racketeering, fraud, corruption and money-laundering against EFF leader, Julius Malema and two other accused, was provisionally struck off the roll by Polokwane high court judge, George Mothle on Tuesday.

This was done due to the absence of one of the accused, Kagiso Dichabe, who was admitted to hospital in Bloemfontein.

Mothle did not acquiesce to the request by Malema’s attorney, Mike Hellens, who wanted a separation of trial due to the delay caused by Dichabe’s absence. Mothle wanted to see all the accused in the case in the dock together, and due to this, the case was provisionally struck off the roll.

Dichabe’s attorney, Lawrence Hodes, told the court that his client would be in hospital for three weeks.

The state alleges that Malema and his co-accused misrepresented themselves to the provincial roads and transport department, leading to a contract of R52 million being awarded to On-Point Engineering. Malema is out on R10 000 bail, and the other two accused are free on bail of R40 000 each.

Addressing the people shortly after court was adjourned, Malema said he was not scared of the National Prosecuting Authority and his soul was clean. He said he had never even stolen a pen when he was still at school. He further said he would never steal money from anyone. “If there was anything against me, they would have tried me long ago. We have traveled this road for almost three years now and it looks like it is going to come to an end. I appreciate the support that members of the EFF gave to me through this difficult journey. There is light at the end of the tunnel. A neutral court of law will set me free. I’m not above the law and I will never run away,” he said.

“I came here to answer for my sins and let me die for my sins. I have been asking for the past three years that they let me have my day in court. Let me tell my story because everybody is accusing me of wrongdoing. Let SA know why I’m persecuted. There is no case, I’m a man of great intuition and feel when we are in a mess and when we are going to win,” Malema continued.

Malema told his supporters to go back and report to their various workplaces.

“You can’t abandon the mandate of the 1,1 million people who voted for the EFF. Go back to work. I was accused long before the idea of the EFF was thought of. The EFF is not the organisation of an individual. Members of parliament should go back and report to work. Go and recruit new members for the EFF. We have already won the Polokwane municipal area. Don’t glorify my name, glorify the name of the EFF,” Malema said.

Hawks spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi said the state still had a serious case against Malema and to strike it off the roll for now was not an acquittal.

“When Dichabe is discharged from the hospital, the state will find a date to reinstate the case. We consider the rights of everyone.

“The case is still ready to proceed. The judge struck it off the roll for three weeks to wait for Dichabe to come back. It is a temporary suspension of the proceedings,” Mulaudzi said.