/ 31 March 2013

Malema not coming clean, say curators

Malema Not Coming Clean, Say Curators

The curators of Malema's estates, Cloete Murray and Aviwe Ndyamara, have approached the High Court in Pretoria with an application for relief, claiming he is in contempt of court for not disclosing his assets, despite a preservation order compelling him to do so, reported the Sunday Independent.

"It is clear that the respondent does not respect the order," said Murray in an affidavit for the application which — if granted — could see Malema slapped with a hefty fine or even jail time.

"This is hampering [Ndyamara] and my ability to carry out the terms of the order as it is incumbent upon us to do".

Despite a meeting and a variety of correspondence between the curators and Malema and his lawyers, this month, Murray alleges Malema has yet to list his belongings.

Malema's lawyer Tumi Mokwena told the newspaper that the curator's application would be opposed.

"We will be opposing the matter, as there is no merit in the case," he was quoted as saying.

On March 19, Malema — who is facing a R16-million tax bill — had his Limpopo farm, worth approximately R4-million, seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Medupe Simasiku said at the time that the property was allegedly acquired with the proceeds from fraud, corruption, theft, and money laundering.

The alleged crimes were perpetrated against the Limpopo department of roads and transport, Simasiku said. Alternatively, the property had been used to launder money.

In January, sheriffs seized Malema's Sandton and Polokwane homes.

The SA Revenue Service then rejected a R4-million settlement offer and auctioned Malema's assets in the Sandton and Polokwane homes in February.

Malema also faces charges of fraud and racketeering related to the irregular awarding of a R52-million tender to On-Point Engineering in Limpopo. – Sapa