SOUTH AFRICA – EFF leader Julius Malema has asked the judge at the Polokwane High Court to trial him separately as one of his co-accused is delaying the start of the trial.
“I have never pretended to have wanted my day in court. I was genuinely looking for this day in court, this day its here,” Malema said.
“One of our accused members is sick and he says he cannot come to court for the next three weeks. I’ve asked the judge to separate me from that accused and trial me alone because I want to have my day in court”, he said.
Malema was addressing the crowd of supporters who had gathered outside the Polokwane court. The EFF leader reiterated his innocence adding that he will not run from answering for his ‘sins’.
“I cannot wait any longer, this dark cloud has to be resolved and therefore any form of sickness or death or any other material condition should never prevent me from having my day in court,” he said.
“I plead with the judge and the National Prosecuting Authority, you have accused me for too long, let me have my day in court, let me tell my story.
“Let South Africa know why I’m persecuted. Let me talk for myself because everybody else has spoken about me. Everybody else has accused me of wrong things, let me speak for myself,” he told supporters.
Malema said that he is confident the court will exonerate him.
In an unprecedented move, the party leader asked his supporters as well as members of the EFF leadership to stop coming to support him at court.
“…. because you have been with me and because the leaders of the EFF have abandoned their work to come and support me, I appreciate all that but please don’t come from tomorrow, let me fight this battle. Let the EFF not suffer because of me.
“I’m here for six weeks go and do your work. Go and represent my people, Parliament needs you. All of you, do not worry about me I will fight this battle. It’s mine,” said Malema.
The trial has been postponed to Tuesday 4th August 2015. Sowetan
