SOUTH AFRICA: African National Congress Youth League President Julius Malema arrives in court for final day of his hate speech trial

Record ID: 455317

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: African National Congress Youth League President Julius Malema arrives in court for final day of his hate speech trial
  • Date: 22nd April 2011
  • Summary: ARMED MALEMA BODY GUARD WATCHING
  • Embargoed: 7th May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa, South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Legal System,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA24EU1B3AJ0MPPX3FH8QXY6QP6
  • Story Text: African National Congress (ANC) Youth League president Julius Malema appeared at the Johannesburg Supreme court on Thursday (April 21) for the final day of his hate speech trial.
    Malema is facing charges of hate speech laid against him by Afrikaner interest group Afri-forum for the continuous singing of "Kill the Boer" which is said to incite violent attacks of white farmers by black assailants.
    Scores of Youth League loyalists gathered outside the court to show their support for the controversial leader and to follow proceedings on a large screen mounted outside of the court.
    Winnie Mandela, the former wife of Nelson Mandela, has been a noted supporter of Malema throughout the trial.
    Afri-forum wants the ANC Youth League President to be banned from singing the song at public gatherings, saying it promotes racial divisions and is said to be responsible for the killings of white farmers.
    The nine day trial saw various witnesses representing both the ANC and Afri-forum being cross examined about the song in question.
    Malema said in his defence that Afri-forum supporters who feel threatened by the song were misled by media interpretations of the song, when he took to the stand on Wednesday (April 20). He added that he could not be held accountable for 'distorted media information.' As court proceeding reach an end it could be likely that charges against Julius Malema are settled out of court by Afri-forum and the ANC.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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