- EFF leader Julius Malema lambasted the presiding magistrate at the East London Magistrate's Court for her tardiness
- In an open courtroom, Malema said it was unacceptable that Magistrate Twanet Olivier hasn't been on time for the past five years
- Malema's rant resonates with many South Africans who agree that it was unfair the magistrate was always late
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EAST LONDON - Economic Freedom Fighter Julius Malema's rant at the East London Magistrates Court in the Eastern Cape had social media buzzing.
Malema is currently standing trial alongside his bodyguard Adriaan Snyman for the unlawful use of a firearm. According to EWN, the pair face several charges after a rifle was discharged at the EFF's fifth anniversary celebration in 2018.
Julius Malema slams magistrate for being late
On Wednesday, 13 September, Magistrate Twanet Olivier arrived at the courtroom late and that did not sit well with the Red Berets leader.
The EFF official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a video of Malema lambasting Olivier for not arriving on time, in true Malema fashion.
The EFF leader was upset that Olivier was never on time for their court case and said her actions were unacceptable because she has a duty to respect people. Malema said they had been waiting for at least two hours and people need to speak out about her behaviour because the magistrate is not above the law.
"No magistrate, no prosecutor must disrespect us like that, and we keep quiet. She's never been early to any court. She says come at 12, we come at 12 [and] she's never here," said an angry Malema.Malema added that Olivier has been consistently late for the past five years. His courtroom rant did not fall on deaf ears and the presiding magistrate apologised for her tardiness.
Her explanation was that she is not always aware of the time everyone is ready for the court proceedings and asked for someone to call her as soon as the media is done setting up.
South Africans back Malema amid rant
@Annie_Modiba said:
"People in power don’t respect time mostly. They think times also revolves around them."@collen_sambo2 said:
"One thing I’ve learned from this man is that you must never be scared to express yourself when you feel disrespected."@nagbruller said:
"Julius is shaking. 15 years jail time for unlawful possession of a firearm. Ouch."@PressPlaySA said:
"Definitely disrespectful and unprofessional by the judge, if it’s the other way around there are consequences, warrant gets issued. What recourse do citizens have? @RonaldLamola @ConCourtSA"@Mtho2ko said:
"I'm not EFF but I'm with Julius on this one."@CeciliaMunyai said:
"Julius is right to address such but there are proper channels to do this, not to address it in court in a disrespectful manner like this."@amatuli:
"If it is the case that the magistrate is always late, then I will have to agree with Julias. First time "Malema divides Mzansi with confidence EFF will win 2024 elections
Briefly News previously reported that Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema got South Africans talking after expressing his confidence that the EFF will govern after the 2024 elections.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, 27 August, Malema said he would not accept anything but an outright victory in the much-anticipated polls. The EFF leader's expectations are a bit of a tall order.
While the party has grown in number and popularity since it was established 10 years ago, a 50% haul in the polls is a great leap from the 10.80% the Red Berets garnered in the 2019 elections.
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