Afrikaner interest group AfriForum has announced that it will privately prosecute Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema for his alleged involvement in a suspected botched tender award in Limpopo.
AfriForum made the announcement of its intent to prosecute Malema at a press briefing in Centurion, Gauteng, on Thursday.
“We are planning to prosecute Mr Julius Malema on charges of corruption and fraud,” said Kallie Kriel, AfriForum chief executive.
The charges stem from a case involving an engineering company, On-Point Engineering, which was awarded a tender by the Limpopo roads and transport department valued at R52-million.
In court papers at the time, it was alleged that Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust was an indirect shareholder in On-Point. He was accused by the state of personally benefiting from the tender to On Point, using the money to allegedly buy a Mercedes Benz and a farm.
The EFF leader denied the allegations, saying they were politically motivated.
AfriForum also plans to prosecute Malema’s co-accused, Kagiso Dichabe and Lesiba Gwangwa. The case was struck off the roll in 2015.
“If somebody portrays themselves as somebody fighting for the poor, if such a person, like Mr Malema, goes ahead and steals state money or tax money, the money that should benefit the poor, we believe such a person should be held accountable,” Kriel said on Thursday.
AfriForum and the EFF have had tensions this year, with the organisation accusing the red berets of hate speech and inciting violence.
This is a developing story.
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