Equality Court to consider Malema comments

African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema returns to the Equality Court in Johannesburg on Thursday over comments alluding to a woman who laid a rape charge against President Jacob Zuma.

Gender advocacy group Sonke Gender Justice laid the complaint, alleging that Malema had undermined women’s dignity with his comments.

In January this year, Malema reportedly told students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology that Zuma’s rape accuser would not have stayed for breakfast if she had not enjoyed the sex.

“Those who had a nice time will wait until the sun comes out, request breakfast and ask for taxi money. In the morning, that lady requested breakfast and taxi money,” Malema reportedly said.

Zuma was acquitted of the rape charge in May 2006.

The Star reported that negotiations over an apology broke down ahead of Thursday’s hearing because Malema would not apologise unconditionally.

His lawyer, Tumi Mokwena, said that Malema offered to release a statement saying he never intended to undermine gender equality.—Sapa