/ 24 January 2011

AfriForum receives Malema’s court documents

Afriforum Receives Malema's Court Documents

AfriForum received plea documents from African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema on Monday afternoon defending his right to sing the “shoot the boer” song, the organisation said on Monday.

“We received the document setting out Malema’s defence just before the close of business today [Monday], said AfriForum lawyer Willie Spies. “Malema’s approach in this case is that he has a right to sing the song because it is part of his heritage.”

Earlier on Monday, AfriForum said it was ready to fight against Malema’s singing of an “inciting” struggle slogan, in the Constitutional Court and even at international forums.

Julius Malema did not appear at the Equality Court on January 19 in a hate-speech case lodged by AfriForum, where a judge ordered the ANCYL president to file necessary papers within three days. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel spoke to the M&G following the court’s ruling.

Spies said AfriForum would start preparing for the case, which would start on April 11.

High importance
The civil rights group’s statement comes after Malema commented on Sunday at a press conference in Boksburg that he was prepared to go to the Constitutional Court to defend singing the struggle song with the words “dubul’ ibhunu”, which, according to AfriForum’s court papers, mean “shoot the boer”.

Malema’s comments came in response to a question about AfriForum’s court case against him.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said his organisation regarded this case as being of such high importance that no costs would be spared to call Malema to order.

He said it was irresponsible for Malema to continue defending slogans like “shoot the boer” given the levels of violent crime and murder in South Africa.

“While Malema is contending that his inflaming statements should not be interpreted literally, people are currently literally being murdered,” Kriel said.

He said the organisation would continue its “stop Malema campaign” to mobilise as many people as possible against the youth leader’s divisive statements. — Sapa