JULIUS Malema has denied stealing from South Africans, saying there are no criminals in his family.
Addressing his supporters after his brief appearance at the Polokwane High Court yesterday where his case was postponed, Malema said: “I want to tell you today that I will never betray you. I did not steal from you. I will never steal from you.
“I fight for the poor. I will never turn my back against people who don’t have houses.”
Malema appeared in court for allegedly making nearly R4-million from corrupt activities. He is out on bail of R10000 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 R40000 each. The case was postponed to September 2014.
His court appearance comes a few days after his former ally and ANC national executive committee member Pule Mabe’s first appearance in court for fraud, theft and money laundering charges. Mabe was charged last Friday along with South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) head of communications Paseka Letsatsi and businessman Kabedi Ramosa.
Business Day reported Letsatsi had allegedly illegally requested funds from Sassa and, after they were approved, channelled this money to companies belonging to Mabe and Ramosa.
The paper reported that Mabe and Ramosa were charged with fraud, money laundering and theft. Letsatsi was charged with fraud.
Mabe served in the Malema-led ANC Youth League as national treasurer, but was suspended last year by Malema’s allies. They accused Mabe of campaigning against Malema when the expelled youth league president was fighting for his future as ANCYL leader. Mabe was later re-instated as ANCYL leader.
As if referring to Mabe, Malema said: “When you steal from government, and stealing money for social grants, that is money meant for orphans. I will never do that,” he said.
He said being found guilty of a criminal offence would be a disgrace to his family as none of his relatives had ever appeared before the courts for any wrongdoing.
“In my family there are no criminals. None of us has ever been to prison for having committed a criminal offence. I am not going to be the black sheep in my family,” he said.
Malema claimed the charges levelled against him were a political conspiracy.
He said: “They are accusing me of stealing from the poor because they are unable to match my thinking capacity.
“They have no ideas. They are fighting political battles in court. They are arresting me in the hope the struggle for nationalisation will die down.”
The state alleges Malema and the others misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52-million contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering. — zineg@disptch.co.za, additional reporting by Sapa
Malema: I will never steal from SA citizens
Addressing his supporters after his brief appearance at the Polokwane High Court yesterday where his case was postponed, Malema said: “I want to tell you today that I will never betray you. I did not steal from you. I will never steal from you.
“I fight for the poor. I will never turn my back against people who don’t have houses.”
Malema appeared in court for allegedly making nearly R4-million from corrupt activities. He is out on bail of R10000 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 R40000 each. The case was postponed to September 2014.
His court appearance comes a few days after his former ally and ANC national executive committee member Pule Mabe’s first appearance in court for fraud, theft and money laundering charges. Mabe was charged last Friday along with South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) head of communications Paseka Letsatsi and businessman Kabedi Ramosa.
Business Day reported Letsatsi had allegedly illegally requested funds from Sassa and, after they were approved, channelled this money to companies belonging to Mabe and Ramosa.
The paper reported that Mabe and Ramosa were charged with fraud, money laundering and theft. Letsatsi was charged with fraud.
Mabe served in the Malema-led ANC Youth League as national treasurer, but was suspended last year by Malema’s allies. They accused Mabe of campaigning against Malema when the expelled youth league president was fighting for his future as ANCYL leader. Mabe was later re-instated as ANCYL leader.
As if referring to Mabe, Malema said: “When you steal from government, and stealing money for social grants, that is money meant for orphans. I will never do that,” he said.
He said being found guilty of a criminal offence would be a disgrace to his family as none of his relatives had ever appeared before the courts for any wrongdoing.
“In my family there are no criminals. None of us has ever been to prison for having committed a criminal offence. I am not going to be the black sheep in my family,” he said.
Malema claimed the charges levelled against him were a political conspiracy.
He said: “They are accusing me of stealing from the poor because they are unable to match my thinking capacity.
“They have no ideas. They are fighting political battles in court. They are arresting me in the hope the struggle for nationalisation will die down.”
The state alleges Malema and the others misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52-million contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering. — zineg@disptch.co.za, additional reporting by Sapa
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