AfriForum requested in writing that the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape explains why the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are contradicting each other in feedback regarding AfriForum’s charge against Julius Malema.
On 28 September 2018 AfriForum was informed by the SAPS that the docket relating to this case was sent to the NPA’s Department of Public Prosecution in East London for consideration. It was however brought to AfriForum’s attention by means of a News24 article that the docket has not yet been received by the NPA, according to Tshepo Ndwalaza, Spokesperson for the NPA in the Eastern Cape.
AfriForum filed the charges against Malema after he allegedly fired shots from an object that resembled an assault rifle during the EFF’s five-year celebrations earlier this year. EFF’s spokespersons denied that this object was a real firearm and later alleged that it was apparently fireworks that was fired in time with the object.
“AfriForum will continue to keep a close eye on the investigation against Malema and will do everything from the organisation’s side to ensure that the institutions that are tasked with the investigation executes their work accordingly,” says Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety.
“Should the NPA decide that Malema is not to be prosecuted, AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit stands at the ready to apply all resources at AfriForum’s disposal to ensure that Malema is indeed prosecuted for this,” says Marnus Kamfer, AfriForum’s Legal and Risk Manager for Community Safety.