ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has blamed “left-wing leaders who drink red wine” for his recent woes, the SABC reported
on Wednesday.
Speaking at an event in Polokwane to celebrate his 29th birthday, Malema denied any wrongdoing on his part.
He accused the media of reporting negatively about him. Malema said he would not be silenced in the fight against corruption, which affected the poor.
Malema has come under fire in the past weeks for his involvement with a company that won lucrative government contracts in Limpopo.
Contracts
Several newspapers reported that he bankrolled a lavish lifestyle with government contracts.
At the birthday event at Seshego Stadium, Limpopo SA Communist Party and Local Government and Housing MEC Soviet Lekganyane said corrupt people were dragging Malema’s name through the mud.
Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale, who also attended, said the media, in particular a Sunday paper, had something against the ANC leadership.
“We are calling upon our journalists to report critically about the things we do, we have no problem, but report in such a manner that you are critical but factual,” Mathale said.
“Don’t sensationalise things in the name of media freedom we don’t need that kind of media freedom in South Africa, equally we don’t need praise singers.”
Example?
Eyewitness News reported Mathale as describing Malema on Wednesday as an example to the nation.
Mathale said the province would continue to support Malema as long as he was a part of the ANC.
Malema was a respectful young man who set the pace for all South Africans, the premier said.
He joined other speakers in hailing Malema as “the future leader of this country.” – Sapa
- Read the Mail & Guardian’s exclusive report: Inside Malema’s new war about his battle with the South African Revenue Service.