Julius Malema

**Julius Sello Malema** (born 3 March 1981) be a South African politician. He be de founder den leader of de Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a communist political party known for de red berets den military-style outfits worn by its members.

Before dem form EFF, Julius Malema bin serve as president for African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) from 2008 until dem expel am from de party for 2012.

As kiddie, Malema join ANC early den dey active well-well; dem later elect am as Youth League president for April 2008 under controversial condition. As president, e be early supporter for make South Africa nationalise dem mining industry den take land without pay compensation. E rise enter national prominence as outspoken supporter for Jacob Zuma, wey be ANC president that time den later President of South Africa. But e relationship plus Zuma come spoil serious after plenty disciplinary issues wey ANC carry against am; by 2012, e start dey campaign make dem comot Zuma from office before ANC ein 53rd National Conference. Insyd April dat same year, before de conference happen, ANC expel Malema for say e bring disgrace to de party. De next year, 2013, Malema form EFF den for 2014 dem elect am go National Assembly after EFF win 25 seats for there.

Malema ein political career no clean, as e involve insyd plenty legal wahala: court convict am two times for hate speech — one for March 2010 as e talk down on de woman wey accuse Zuma of rape, den anoda for September 2011 as e sing de song “Dubul' ibhunu” (“Shoot de Boer”). For 2012, dem charge Malema plus fraud, money laundering den racketeering. After plenty postponement, de court throw de case out for 2015 sake of how National Prosecuting Authority dey delay am too much. Dis make some people believe say de charges be political. But for 2018, AfriForum talk say dem go start private prosecution against Malema for de corruption matter.

## Early life den education
Malema born on 3 March 1981, for de township of Seshego near Polokwane insyd old Transvaal, wey now be Limpopo region. Ein family na Northern Sotho, ein mommie be domestic worker wey raise am alone. After ein mommie die, ein grandma raise am, but she too die for May 2019.

### Student politics
Malema talk say e join de Masupatsela (“trailblazers”) movement under de African National Congress (ANC) as e be nine or ten years. Dem say ein main work by den be to remove National Party ein posters. Malema claim say e get military training when e be 13, but dis one dey questionable as no witness fit confirm am. For 1995, e join ANC Youth League den become chairperson for ein local branch for Seshego plus de regional branch for de broader Capricorn area. By 1997, e become provincial chairperson for Congress of South African Students (COSAS) for Limpopo, den dem elect am national president of COSAS for 2001.

### Education
Malema finish high school insyd Mohlakaneng High School insyd Seshego. Insyd 2010, e complete two-year diploma in youth development through University of South Africa (UNISA). Still for UNISA, e finish ein Bachelor of Arts in communications plus African languages for March 2016, den go do Honours degree in philosophy for 2017. Insyd 2018, e enter master’s degree programme for University of the Witwatersrand.

## ANC Youth League

### Election as president: April 2008
By 2008, Malema be de provincial secretary for ANC Youth League (ANCYL) insyd Limpopo, den e be top contender for national president of de league. Outgoing president Fikile Mbalula support Malema ein candidacy, but de outgoing secretary-general Sihle Zikalala rather support de more moderate candidate, Saki Mofokeng. After one hot campaign den chaotic plenary, dem elect Malema as ANCYL president for de league ein 23rd National Conference for Bloemfontein for April 2008. E get 1,833 votes, while Mofokeng get 1,696. E enter office with ein allies like Andile Lungisa wey become deputy president.

But as dem announce de vote results, plentee people challenge am, including some delegates wey claim say intimidation make dem no fit vote. De conference turn rowdy – some delegates even throw chair – den dem no finish de meeting business before dem adjourn. Later Malema criticize de “unbecoming conduct” of delegates. De main ANC party come intervene, den dem organize special closed congress insyd Johannesburg insyd June. ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe recommend say make Mofokeng accept de April election result, wey Mofokeng later gree do.

### Support for Zuma: 2008–2010
By de time dem elect Malema as Youth League president, Malema – like majority of de league ein members – be strong supporter of ANC president Jacob Zuma den outspoken critic of former president Thabo Mbeki. Insyd June 2008, during one rally for Thaba 'Nchu insyd Free State, e defend Zuma wey by den dey face corruption charges. Na there e make de controversial statement wey many condemn: "We are prepared to die for Zuma... We are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma." Then for September, Malema vow say dem go "eliminate any force" wey go try stop Zuma from becoming national president.

Before de 2009 general election, dem nominate Malema to contest as Member of Parliament, but e turn am down, say Parliament be "for old people". Still, e campaign strong for ANC den for Zuma as de party ein presidential candidate. For April 2009, for example, hospital staff drive Malema den ein team from Dora Nginza Hospital insyd Port Elizabeth after dem dey go round de wards campaign. After de election, Malema start dey visit schools across de country, say e wan engage de youth, but Kgalema Motlanthe – wey be ANC deputy president den also de country ein Deputy President – criticize dis move, say e dey disrupt de students demma learning.

Even though Malema still be Zuma ein ally for some months after Zuma win di election as President of South Africa insyd May 2009, dem two later clash publicly by mid-2010. Malema later explain say e turn against Zuma when e realise say Zuma no fit carry out di left-wing policy plans wey make people vote am as ANC president insyd 2007. According to Malema, Zuma begin treat di Youth League harshly only after di League reject am. But some people get different view. Dem believe say Zuma change ein approach towards Malema plus di League insyd 2010—especially when e start disciplinary actions against Malema—because e see say Malema ein outspoken radical behavior fit become political problem or even threat to am.

### Disciplinary charges: 2010

#### Mounting controversy
By early 2010, Zuma start dey face heavy pressure, both from people insyd ANC and from di general public, make e put stop to Malema ein way of dey talk anyhow wey dey cause wahala. *Mail & Guardian* report say Zuma dey worry make people no see am like say e no get power or say di Youth League dey control am. Insyd mid-March 2010, ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe talk for media say from dat time go, any ANC member wey go dey fight or insult anoda member for public go face punishment. At dat same time, di ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) release one statement wey complain say some leaders and structures no dey respect NEC ein decisions. Dem say dis kain behavior no fit go well with ANC ein discipline, values and mission. *News24* come add say all dis warnings na clearly for Malema, wey don dey insult almost everybody for di ruling alliance leadership. Just recently before di statement, e attack Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan for media.

But even after dis announcement, Malema still enta anoda round of controversies wey people hear plenty about, insyd March den early April. De first one get to do plus how Malema sing de controversial struggle song "Dubul' ibhunu" wey e no mind de high court ein ruling, plus some talk wey Malema make about de death of Eugène Terre'Blanche (see down).

Second, from 2 go 5 April 2010, Malema lead ANC Youth League delegation go Zimbabwe for controversial work trip. De League talk say dem want use de trip strengthen demma relationship plus ZANU-PF Youth League, plus do fact-finding mission about indigenisation. Malema meet Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe plus some ZANU-PF politicians, den for ein public statements, he talk good about ZANU-PF, compare dem well pass Morgan Tsvangirai ein Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Ein talk make some people start fear say ANC fit try follow ZANU-PF demma Land reform programme for Zimbabwe; concerns come inside too say de way Malema support one side fit spoil de effort wey Zuma ein government dey make to settle de political matter between ZANU-PF den MDC. City Press talk say some ANC officials tell de Youth League make dem hold on de trip, but Malema tell de media say Zuma himself give dem green light.

Plus dat, on 8 April, Malema catch international media demma attention because of how he behave during one clash plus Jonah Fisher, one BBC journalist. For one media briefing about ein visit go Zimbabwe, Malema make mockery of MDC say dem get office for rich people area Sandton, but he vex serious when Fisher cut in talk say Malema himself dey live for Sandton. As dem start exchange words, Malema call Fisher "bastard", "bloody agent", den "small boy". De next day, Malema talk say he no dey feel sorry, call Fisher "disrespectful", den talk say United Kingdom be one country wey demma media always try spoil African leaders demma credibility den integrity. De ANC condemn how Malema behave inside one statement.

#### Rebuke den charges
On 10 April 2010, Zuma hold press conference for Durban to talk about dis matter plus some other recent controversies wey involve Malema. People later remember dis press conference as de turning point insyd de relationship between Zuma den Malema, because e be de strongest time wey Zuma take talk against Malema. Concerning "Dubul' ibhunu", Zuma talk say if person go against de high court ein ruling, e go mean say de person dey disobey direct instruction from de ANC, den dat one go mean say de person dey "undermine de leadership of de ANC", e go sana "make mockery of we demma judicial system", den "such thing no for happen". Zuma distance himself from de talk Malema make about Zimbabwe, den he talk say de ANC still dey committed to be neutral for de peace process insyd Zimbabwe. He talk too say de way Malema treat Jonah Fisher be "regrettable and unacceptable", no matter how Fisher behave. Wey broad matter top, Zuma talk say de way Malema dey behave recently no be how ANC people for behave, remind de Youth League say dem dey under ANC demma rules den policies, den e hint say Malema go face internal disciplinary action.

Afta Zuma ein press conference, Malema still no change ein stance, den reporters quote am say "even President Thabo Mbeki", wey be Zuma ein former political rival, no ever respond so hard for public "when he no agree plus de Youth League". De following week, de ANC announce say Malema go face formal internal disciplinary process. De charges come from de public talk wey he make about Zuma, plus de acts of bad conduct wey Zuma already mention. Dem carry de case go de ANC National Disciplinary Committee, wey Derek Hanekom dey chair, plus some other ANC leaders wey people dey see say dem no dey support Malema. Inside de hearing, ANC Treasurer-General Mathews Phosa be Malema ein representative.

#### Plea deal
Insyd May 2010, Malema agree for plea bargain plus de disciplinary committee. Inside de deal, dem tell am say he for pay R10,000 to support youth development project, attend anger management class, plus go de ANC political school for 20 days. Dem sana tell am make he do public apology to Zuma, de ANC, plus de general public for de way he try disgrace Zuma afta Zuma ein warning. Most of de charges against am drop, but dem still find am guilty say he do public attack on Zuma wey bring division insyd de ANC, against de party demma constitution. De ruling talk say if Malema repeat dis same offence insyd de next two years, den dem go suspend ein ANC membership straight away.

### Political views

#### Caster Semenya saga
Insyd spring 2009, Malema come out strong as vocal defender for South African runner Caster Semenya during de international palaver about Semenya ein gender wey happen afta de 2009 World Athletics Championships. He sana defend Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, wey allow Semenya make she compete for de championships even after dem tell am say one gender test show say she be intersex person. Malema talk say Chuene no need apologise, say he "do right by lying [about de gender test] just to protect her". He attack Deputy Sports Minister Gert Oosthuizen for saying make dem sack Chuene, den he seriously bash de International Association of Athletics Federations say dem dey try "impose" de idea of intersex on South Africans, wey he say no dey exist insyd Pedi culture.

Insyd October 2009, Malema warn say he go "mobilise society" against Nedbank if dem no change demma decision to stop sponsorship for ASA. He suggest, even though Nedbank deny, say de move dey linked to how ASA support Semenya. Because of de whole issue, Anton Alberts from opposition party Freedom Front Plus call on de ANC make dem face reality say Malema be "one dilemma wey dem no fit ignore again".

#### Nationalisation den land expropriation
Malema be strong voice wey dey support make South Africa nationalise demma mines. E first talk dis matter for July 2009 during one Youth League rally for Krugersdorp, den he argue say de Freedom Charter dey support nationalisation. South Africa ein big miners union, de National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), too agree plus Malema ein view. For one public meeting for University of Western Cape, Malema ask: "Why we for pay for we land?"

After dat, he start talk say dem for take land without paying anything, den scrap de “willing buyer, willing seller” idea. For 16 June Youth Day celebration, Malema accuse white South Africans say dem "steal land", den he repeat ein stand say land for be shared again without compensation. Insyd April 2010, Malema lead one youth group go Venezuela to learn about how dem dey do nationalisation for dat country.

Early insyd 2010, Malema tell ANC Youth League members make dem join de South African National Defence Force, den he talk say plans dey ground make Youth League leaders join de reservist programme. Dem confirm de military training for May 2010, den de naval training start plan make e begin for September 2010.

### Re-election: June 2011
As Malema ein first term as president dey near end, people dey expect say he go face strong opposition for ein re-election, most likely from ein deputy Andile Lungisa. Before de next national Youth League conference come, plenty province-level conferences happen wey people contest hard. For Malema ein own home province, Limpopo, de conference turn violent, den reports talk say Malema call police make dem sack ein rivals plus journalists from de venue.

But even so, for de Youth League demma national elective conference for Midrand on 17 June 2011, Malema win second term as league president. Nobody challenge am because de one wey people think say go contest, Lebogang Maile, reject nomination. Ronald Lamola then take over from Lungisa as de new deputy league president.

### Expulsion: 2011–2012

#### Botswana tirade
On 31 July 2011, during one press briefing after de ANC Youth League National Executive Committee meet for Boksburg, Malema make some controversial comments about de political situation for Botswana. He talk say de ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) be "foot stool of imperialism, security threat to Africa, den always dey under de control of United States like puppet", den he announce say de Youth League plan set up "Botswana command team" wey go help opposition parties for Botswana unite against de BDP ein "puppet regime". He sana make statement wey people see as hidden attack against Zuma den ein cabinet. He talk say since Thabo Mbeki lef South African government, "ideological den political leadership for Africa get vacuum"; he believe say na dat one cause de problems wey South Africa ein response get for de Libya den Ivory Coast crises.

#### Disciplinary proceedings
Malema plus de Youth League pull back de statement dem make about Botswana two weeks later, but Independent Online report say ein comments "finally break de patience of de party ein elders". On 22 August 2011, de ANC announce say Malema dey face charges for bringing de ANC ein name down, den say he go face internal disciplinary action. Dem charge am together plus league spokesman Floyd Shivambu, den later dem add all de top leaders of de Youth League to de charge sheet – deputy president Ronald Lamola, secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, deputy secretary-general Kenetswe Mosenogi, plus treasurer-general Pule Mabe.

When de hearing start on 30 August 2011 for ANC ein headquarters for Luthuli House, insyd central Johannesburg, supporters of Malema wey gather for rally turn violent. Some break through de police barricade den throw glass bottles plus stones give police officers den journalists. Police scatter de crowd by using water cannon, pepper spray, den one warning shot. Senior ANC leaders condemn de violence, den Malema talk to de crowd make dem calm down.

#### Finding den appeals
On 10 November, de ANC National Disciplinary Committee, wey Derek Hanekom still chair, announce say dem find Malema guilty of breaking de party ein constitution because of de talk he make about Botswana. Dis include de ones wey "try paint de ANC government plus ein leadership under President Zuma bad for de African agenda matter, den get de power to bring division plus disunity insyd de ANC". Hanekom talk say Malema ein words be "reckless den baseless" den say dem "spoil de image of de ANC plus South Africa demma name for de international level", even though dem no find am guilty for separate charges of racism den incitement of hatred. Shivambu too be guilty for releasing de Youth League ein statement on Botswana, plus for insulting one journalist.

Because of all dis, de National Disciplinary Committee suspend Malema from de ANC for five years, den say he for step down from ein position as president of de ANC Youth League. Malema talk for public say he go appeal de ruling, den he bash de disciplinary process say e be political move wey dem dey use to "settle scores". On 4 February 2012, dem dismiss ein appeal, but de committee give am chance to present reasons why dem for reduce de punishment. Afta he talk again, on 29 February, de committee release final decision – dem no only reject Malema ein arguments, but dem expel am from de party completely. Dem talk say apart from being repeat offender, Malema no show any remorse, den he no accept ANC demma decisions, show say "de chance say he go respect de ANC Constitution no dey likely". On 24 April 2012, Malema finish de whole appeal process after Cyril Ramaphosa, wey be chairperson of de internal appeals committee, confirm say dem uphold ein expulsion.

## Economic Freedom Fighters
After dem expel Malema from de ANC, he come stand out strong as one of de people wey dey talk against how government handle de August 2012 Marikana massacre. When he visit de place wey de shooting happen, he call make Zuma resign den make dem set up one commission of inquiry. Al Jazeera even raise question whether dis Marikana matter go fit help bring Malema ein political career back to life.

Insyd October 2012, Malema go Zimbabwe wey he make some controversial statements. He talk say white people for Africa take over mineral resources wey belong to indigenous people, den say to give compensation to people wey lose land through expropriation be like "you dey thank dem plus money for killing we people". He talk say, "Seeing blood no be wetin dey scare we. As long as de blood go bring we own back to we, we dey ready to reach dat level."

### Foundation of Economic Freedom Fighters
Main article: Economic Freedom Fighters

Insyd June 2013, Malema start dey campaign for ein new political party wey dem call Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). South African President Jacob Zuma, during one meeting plus de SA National Editors' Forum, talk say de ruling party no see dis new move as any threat. Even though Malema still dey face court trial for money laundering den racketeering charges, he begin dey ask for support money for de new party.

Malema ein visit to Nigerian religious leader T.B. Joshua for 'spiritual blessings' for August 2013, plus some EFF members, bring controversy den draw media attention.

Insyd December 2014, during de party ein first national elective conference for Bloemfontein, Malema win de position of EFF president without any challenger. Floyd Shivambu, wey dem sack from de ANC Youth League same time as Malema, win as ein deputy. Both Malema den Shivambu win again without opposition for December 2019. Later, on 15 August 2024, Floyd Shivambu join Jacob Zuma ein MK Party.

### Member of Parliament: 2014–2022
Insyd de 2014 general election, just less than one year after dem launch de party, EFF win 25 seats for National Assembly, wey be de lower house of South Africa ein Parliament. Malema first talk say he go take de election results go court, but in de end he accept am – even though for 2016, he still dey claim say de ANC rig de election for Gauteng. Dem swear Malema in as Member of de National Assembly on 21 May 2014. He win ein seat again for de 2019 general election, den he don sit on different portfolio committees since.

Malema get history of being ejected from Parliament several times. For June 2014, dem sack am from de State of de Nation debate because he no gree pull back ein talk say de ANC government kill mineworkers during de Marikana massacre. Again, for 2015 State of de Nation address, he plus some EFF members get ejected after dem shout say dem want question Zuma about de Nkandlagate scandal; Malema talk say South Africa don turn police state. Insyd September 2015, de sergeant-at-arms drag Malema out from de house den suspend am for five days because he no gree withdraw ein statement say Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa be “murderer” based on what happen for Marikana. Dem eject Malema again by force during Zuma ein State of de Nation addresses for both 2016 den 2017.

#### Comments on white genocide conspiracy theory
On 23 August 2018, Malema come speak strong against de white genocide conspiracy theory, den he bash United States President Donald Trump for some comments wey he make. Dis happen after Trump tell ein Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, make he investigate farm attacks wey dey happen for South Africa. Malema talk say na "complete rubbish" to talk say white genocide dey, den he add say "South Africans no go allow Mr Trump intimidate dem". He talk say de way Trump take enter demma land rights matter "just make dem more determined".

Same day for one media briefing wey happen for EFF headquarters, Malema talk say "black genocide really dey for de U.S., dem dey kill black people there [...] black people dey killed even for South Africa". He sana claim say "some group of white right-wingers dey get training from Jews for Pretoria to become snipers". After dis, de South African Jewish Board of Deputies release one statement wey condemn Malema ein talk, say de things he talk be "typical attention-seeking behaviour" den say e be move wey fit bring racial tension.

#### Allusions to violence
Plenty times, Malema ein talk bring controversy den criticism because of how he dey make reference to or give threats of violence. For one interview wey Al Jazeera show for April 2016, Malema talk say if de ANC government continue dey use violence against peaceful protests, "We go soon run out of patience and we go remove dis government through de barrel of a gun." Because of dis, de ANC go open treason case against am.

For one political rally wey happen for November 2016, Malema talk say de EFF "no dey call for slaughter of white people, at least for now". De opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) condemn de talk say e be "violent den threatening language". Malema repeat dis same thing again for 2022, say he no fit "guarantee say he no go ever call for slaughter of white people" for future time.

Insyd 2018, during one rally, Malema talk say dem ein plan to remove Athol Trollip from ein role as mayor of Nelson Mandela Municipality be like "cutting de throat of whiteness". DA leader Mmusi Maimane respond say Malema ein words be "racist attacks" den full of "racist hatred". When former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe die for 2019, Malema post some controversial quotes from Mugabe on Twitter, including de statement, "The only white man you can trust is a dead white man". De South African Human Rights Commission condemn de tweet den talk say dem go take legal action against Malema for spreading hate speech.

Then insyd 2021, during one session of de Pan-African Parliament, Malema threaten say he go kill one Member of Parliament from Mali.

#### 2018 Carnilinx scandal
Eyewitness News report say de political party leader Julius Malema ein family house for Hyde Park insyd Johannesburg dey owned by, den e dey next door to, controversial cigarette businessman den Carnilinx company executive Adriano Mazzotti. De article add say Mazzotti give EFF R200,000 to register for de 2019 election, plus say Carnilinx ein anoda executive Kyle Phillips give Malema R1 million as loan. Malema talk say ein wife be de one wey dey rent de property, den he lodge one complaint against de media for publishing de location of ein house.

#### Comments on F. W. de Klerk's death
Then on 11 November 2021, de day F. W. de Klerk die, Malema tweet say, "Thank you God", plus five dancing emojis (🕺🏾 den 💃), wey people take interpret say e be ein reaction to de death of de Klerk. Malema later praise de government ein decision wey no give de Klerk state funeral.

## Involvement insyd state contracts
Reports wey concern Julius Malema ein possible involvement insyd state tenders (contracts) start show for November 2009. De South African media start dey raise questions about how Malema dey live ein personal life. Some analysts talk say dis kind thing fit be wetin dem dey call "tenderpreneur", wey be de early sign of kleptocracy – or predatory behaviour by some people wey dey de ruling elite – to use de system take gather personal wealth by capturing public resources.

Insyd August 2010, de Public Protector release one report wey clear Malema say he no get hand for any state tenders for Limpopo. But some people receive de report with doubt.

### Threats to journalists
Few weeks after dem first report de tender controversy, de ANC Youth League com release personal details of City Press Investigations Editor Dumisane Lubisi, ein wife plus ein children. Dis details include demma ID numbers, bank info, house address plus car information. Lubisi be de one wey report say de construction work wey Malema ein companies do for Limpopo no be quality work. ANCYL talk say dem get evidence say journalists corrupt in many ways.

As response, plenty political journalists write complain go different authorities insyd de ANC plus de South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF). Dem talk say de release of demma personal info na attempt to intimidate dem make dem no publish more stories, den e be threat to media freedom. Dem still ask how political group like dat take get access to sensitive info without breaking law. De Sowetan newspaper write one editorial wey call de move to silence journalists “tyrannical” den accuse de ANC Youth League say dem dey use dem close connection to state plus institutions to intimidate journalists wey dey report about Malema. SANEF too come release statement support de journalists.

Journalists Piet Rampedi plus Adriaan Basson face different threats den intimidation as dem dey report story wey concern Malema ein corruption.

### Investigation by de Hawks
As Malema travel go Mauritius for ein friend ein wedding for late October 2011, different South African media report say Malema dey face different corruption, fraud plus money laundering charges. Na de special investigative unit wey dem dey call de Hawks bring de charges.

De centre of de accusations be de Ratanang Trust, wey dem talk say Malema set am up den name am after ein pikin. Dem talk say ein pikin plus ein grandmother be de people wey dey benefit from de trust, but dem dey allege say de trust be de main place wey some businessmen wey get political links dey use to pay Malema back for juicy government contracts, mostly for de poor area of Limpopo. Malema deny all wrongdoing, but investigations still dey go on.

Insyd September 2012, dem issue arrest warrant for Malema top fraud, money laundering plus corruption matter, connected to one government contract. Dem say de warrant come after investigation about one tender wey dem give EduSolutions for 2010 to share textbooks to students for Limpopo. Dem start de investigation after dem find dumped textbooks close one dam for Giyani. De Special Investigating Unit (SIU), de SA Revenue Service (Sars) plus de elite police unit wey dem dey call de Hawks all join body investigate de case.

### Money laundering and tax evasion charges
Insyd 26 September 2012, dem charge Malema for money laundering, wey relate to how dem say he take dey give big government contracts for Limpopo in exchange for alleged R4 million kickback. After dem hear de case for court for Polokwane, dem give am bail wey be R10,000.

Insyd 2013, Malema still face another charge—dis time na tax evasion of R16 million, after dem discover say he get links to some companies wey collect other juicy contracts from de Limpopo government. De case base on payments wey enter de Ratanang Family Trust. But by 2014, Malema reach one compromise deal with de tax people (de revenue service). Then for 2016, de revenue service talk say Malema no follow de agreement well, and say he dey owe R18 million in tax arrears, plus extra R2 million interest from tax years 2005 to 2011. Malema reply say de Limpopo property deal no go through, and say based on de 2014 agreement, he don pay all ein debt so he no dey owe again.

Insyd February 2013, dem report say dem go auction Malema ein property to recover de R16.1 million debt wey he owe de South African Revenue Service, after he no meet de deadline for paying ein unpaid taxes. Malema then enter anoda agreement to pay de money, but dat deal too collapse for March 2015, after Malema still fail to pay.

## Hate speech den other legal issues

### Khwezi hate speech: March 2010
Insyd January 2009, Malema talk for one student program wey happun for Cape Peninsula University of Technology say Khwezi, de woman wey accuse Jacob Zuma of rape for 2005 (wey court later acquit am), "enjoy de tin" because she remain for morning ask for "breakfast plus taxi money". Dis talk make one non-profit group, Sonke Gender Justice, carry case go Equality Court of South Africa. Then on 15 March 2010, court find Malema guilty of hate speech. Dem order am make he apologise without condition plus pay R50,000 fine to one centre wey dey help women wey dem abuse.

### "Shoot the Boer" song: 2010–2022
Sanso see: Dubul' ibhunu

Insyd March 2010 too, Malema sing one part of "Dubul' ibhunu" for rally wey happun for University of Johannesburg. Dis song mean "Shoot de Boer" (wey refer to Afrikaans-speaking white people) for Nguni language. Plenty of ein supporters cheer am while dem dey point finger for air like gun. De song be anti-apartheid one wey ANC Youth League activist Peter Mokaba popularise for 1990s. But de South African Human Rights Commission don already talk since 2007 say de song na hate speech. So as Malema bring am back, e cause serious outrage wey make Afriforum go report de matter.

On 26 March 2010, South Gauteng High Court talk say de song "Dubul' ibhunu" be "unconstitutional plus unlawful", even though dis court ruling no relate directly to Malema ein case. Then on 1 April 2010, North Gauteng High Court carry de complaint wey dem file against Malema go Equality Court. Meanwhile, de court put one order wey stop Malema from singing "Dubul' ibhunu" or any other song wey fit push people to violence. Weytin happen next be say, after dem kill Eugène Terre'Blanche on 3 April, de ANC come advise all dem members make dem dey careful if dem wan sing de song again anytime soon, sake of fear say white right-wing people fit blame de ANC. But Malema no mind dem. He still continue dey sing "Dubul' ibhunu" and even make am ein main anthem. Dis be one of de many times wey he no respect party order, and dem take dis matter raise case against am during ANC ein disciplinary proceedings insyd April 2010.

#### Hate speech conviction
After many delay, Afriforum ein hate speech complaint against Malema finally reach trial for 2011. ANC strong woman Winnie Madikizela-Mandela even testify in support of Malema. But on 12 September 2011, court find Malema guilty of hate speech. De court no give am criminal punishment but order am make he pay all de legal costs.

#### Hate speech acquittal
Insyd 2020, Afriforum take Malema go Equality Court again because he sing "Kill de boer" plus one anoda struggle song wey dem call "Biza a ma'firebrigate". Between de time of de first case wey happen for 2011 den dis new one, Constitutional Court make plenty progress for how dem dey handle hate speech matter, so e override de old judgment. Then insyd November 2022, de court reject Afriforum ein complaint. Dem talk say as Malema sing de song no mean say e be hate speech. De court agree say de lyrics no be something wey dem for take literally. Instead, dem for see am as something wey dey represent resistance to how land dey taken from people for colonial times.

### Traffic offence arrest: December 2013
Insyd December 2013, dem arrest Malema because dem catch am dey speed 215 km/h for ein BMW, even though de speed limit be 120 km/h, along de N1 road near Vanderbijlpark for Gauteng. Dem release am on R5,000 bail. Then for February 2014, court clear am of reckless or negligent driving charge.

### Hamas support
Insyd October 2023, Malema talk say if ein party, EFF, win de 2024 elections, dem go support Hamas plus give dem weapons to help free Palestine. E talk say, "when de EFF takes over next year it is going to arm Hamas." Plenty people criticize am for dis talk. Some call am "opportunist", say he dey use de issue to push ein radical ideas and take campaign boost for 2024.

## Public image
Malema dey known well for ein strong way of talk—he be powerful speaker. But he too dey make plenty controversial statements, so people dey mock am often. Cartoonists like Zapiro and Jeremy Nell dey draw am wear diaper around 2010. As ein popularity grow, critics start dey call am demagogue and fascist for media.

Time Magazine put Malema for de list of *Least Influential People* for 2010. But Forbes magazine do de opposite—dem put am for list of *10 Youngest Power Men in Africa* for September 2011. Insyd de Sowetan newspaper, Andile Mngxitama describe Malema as opportunist. E write say Malema raise issues like nationalisation and land reform, not to fix dem, but just to deceive poor people wey dey wait for better life under de party wey rule dem for 20 years. E talk say instead of Malema being true leader for poor people, e just dey use politics take get wealth.

Between 2010 plus 2013, popular media start dey talk about "de Malema Dilemma" — dis phrase describe de tension between how popular Malema be politically, plus how ein controversial statements dey bring serious consequences.

Insyd May 2025, United Kingdom deny Malema ein visa. De British government talk say e be because of bank holiday plus de short notice wey no give dem enough time to process de visa. But Malema talk say de refusal be “political attack”. E come insult de UK and dem monarchy after Queen Elizabeth II ein death.

Still for May 2025, during one meeting wey happen for de Oval Office between Donald Trump plus Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump show one video wey contain some of Malema ein controversial talks. Trump use dis video to support ein claim say white farmers for South Africa dey face violence. De full video later appear on de White House ein YouTube page.

## Personal life
Malema marry ein long-time girlfriend insyd 2014 insyd ein hometown Seshego. Dem do de ceremony private under strong security. Dem ein first pikin, Munzhedzi, born insyd 2016. De second pikin, Kopano, come born insyd 2018. Malema get anoda son, Ratanang, from ein previous relationship plus Maropeng Ramohlale. Insyd 2011, Malema too date model plus influencer wey dem dey call Lizelle Tabane.

## References



## Read further

* Fiona Forde. *An Inconvenient Youth: Julius Malema and the 'New' Politics* Picador Africa, 2011. . Paperback, 274 pages.
* Fiona Forde. *Still An Inconvenient Youth: Julius Malema* Pan Macmillan South Africa, 1 August 2014. .
* Floyd Shivambu and Janet Smith. *The Coming Revolution: Julius Malema And the Fight for Economic Freedom* Jacana Media, June 2014. . Paperback, 288 pages.
* Micah Reddy and Pauli van Wyk. *Malema. Money. Power. Patronage*. Tafelberg, 2025. .

## External links

* 
*  - interview on Al Jazeera English (video, 25 mins)