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JOHANNESBURG — EFF leader Julius Malema has accused the ANC of trying to silence him by bringing fabricated charges against him.
“They accuse me of stealing because they are failing to match my thinking capacity,” he told his supporters outside the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane yesterday shortly after his corruption trial was postponed to next year.
“They thought arresting me would silence me… They are arresting me with the hope that nationalisation would die… They say we stole money in the department of roads and works, I have never worked there.”
Malema said a forensic team had found no evidence against him, and despite this he was arrested for nothing.
He said police arrested him, despite him co-operating and stressing he would appear in court.
“I don’t know why they gave me police escorts, I know the direction to court,” he said.
Malema has denied stealing from South Africans, saying he has no criminals in his family.
“I will never betray you. I did not steal from you. I will never steal from you. I will never do that to you.
“In my family, I don’t have a history of criminals… there is no black sheep.”
He described the African National Congress as the “apartheid ANC” and labelled President Jacob Zuma a criminal.
He thanked those who came out to support him at court.
“Comrades who came from all different areas to give me support, I salute you. I don’t take your support for granted. I stand before you with humility. I will never be arrogant.”
The former ANC Youth League leader appeared after allegedly making nearly R4m from corrupt activities. He is out on bail of R10 000 and faces charges of fraud, corruption, money-laundering, and racketeering.
Malema’s co-accused are his business associates Kagisho Dichabe, Lesiba Gwangwa, Helen Moreroa, and Makgetsi Manthata. They are out on bail of R40 000 each.
The State alleges Malema and the others misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52m contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering.
According to court papers, Malema had business ties with Gwangwa, a director of On-Point Engineering. Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust was an indirect shareholder in On-Point.
The department paid the company R43m. According to the charge sheet, Malema substantially benefited from this payment, using it to buy a farm and a Mercedes-Benz.
His trial has been set down from 30 September to 31 October next year.
Malema, however, will make representations to a judge next Thursday and Friday in a bid to get the charges dropped. — Sapa.
Online Reporter