Cape Town – EFF leader Julius Malema seems unwilling to offer an apology for his allegations of corruption and incompetence directed at East London Magistrate Twanet Olivier last week.
Judges Matter on Monday called Malema’s comments an attack on the judiciary, a threat to judicial independence, and possibly a violation of the Constitution.
They demanded an apology.
“Therefore Judges Matter comes out strongly in defence of judicial independence. Left unchallenged, Mr Malema’s comments will send a chilling message to other judicial officers that they should not dare issue judgments against powerful figures who command a large audience. We call on Mr Malema to immediately retract and apologise for his unfortunate comments,” EWN quoted Mbekezeli Benjamin, a researcher at Judges Matter as saying.
In response to Judges Matter’s criticism, Malema said on X: “They can expect an apology in the afterlife.”
They will get it in hell.
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) October 23, 2023
Last week, Malema accused Olivier of being corrupt and incompetent while she presided over his illegal discharge of a firearm case.
He claimed that her judgment was a “sponsored judgment”.
“We want to come back here and to sit and listen to that incompetent magistrate who comes late to court, can’t get her papers in order, can’t read her own judgments, who adjourns the court during judgment to go back seat and receive Pravin Gordhan’s call, receive Ramaphosa’s call and receive Batohi’s call.
“When she comes back to give her judgment, she’s shaking like hell because it’s not her judgment, it’s a sponsored judgment. Where have you heard such a thing that a magistrate leaves in the middle of a judgment to go behind the court and when she comes back, she’s shaking like a little girl in Grade 1 to give an English presentation in front of her classmates,” Malema said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services added its voice to denounce assaults on judicial authorities.
“Whilst it is permissible to criticise and debate the reasoning of judicial officers’ decisions, attacking their person and directing sensational conspiracy theories at judicial officers is not correct by anyone, let alone a member of the Judicial Service Commission,” the ministry said in a statement.
“We call upon all role players to ensure they uphold the independence of the judiciary by seeking accountability through established channels, not populist channels where no due process can be established.”
In response to the statement, Malema wrote on X: “You can voetsek small bedwetting boys.”
You can Voetsek small bedwetting boys.
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) October 23, 2023
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Picture: Twitter/@Julius_S_Malema
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
