Malema in more hot water

Johannesburg – Three charges are being investigated against EFF leader Julius Malema for a scuffle involving a security guard, Limpopo police said on Monday.

“Malema is being investigated for the pointing of a firearm, common assault, and malicious damage to property,” police spokesperson Ronel Otto said.

Malema allegedly pointed a firearm at a security guard at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday morning during an argument when Malema and his bodyguards wanted to leave.

They had been attending a music festival at the stadium.

“It’s alleged Malema and his bodyguards went to a gate which wasn’t used as an exit. An argument ensued with the security guard and Malema allegedly pointed a firearm at the guard.”

She said the guard was allegedly pushed against the gate and the group opened it by force, damaging it.

“We’re still taking statements from the people involved,” Otto said.

The charges were laid at the Polokwane police station.

Malema stands to face more charges after civil rights group AfriForum last week opened a case against him for allegedly assaulting a man, Cassie Moller at a Steers outlet in Tzaneen around 02:00 on August 6.

Meanwhile, the anger displayed by EFF leader Julius Malema is justifiable, Nelson Mandela’s former private secretary Zelda la Grange said yesterday.

But such anger needed to be tempered with respect when debating with opponents she told a Cape Town Press Club lunch to promote her newly launched book Good Morning Mr Mandela.

“I’m not saying that Julius’s anger isn’t justifiable – it is. But I’d like to see people respecting each other more.”

La Grange said this was a lesson former president Mandela had taught her, and referred to talks between her former boss and FW de Klerk.

“They got very angry with each other but never in a disrespectful manner.

“There’s never any point where the one said to the other ‘you’re nothing’ or where the one showed the other the middle finger.”

Such behaviour would be unacceptable, La Grange said.

“Julius has reason to be angry and some of the things he says I actually agree with, but . . . I can’t associate with any kind of disrespect people show to one another.”

Earlier, responding to a question on whether she had any ambition to go into politics she jokingly replied: “Unless someone gives me a beret I won’t go into politics!”

On her future plans La Grange said she was thinking of studying towards a degree in leadership and management.

“But I’m not over-eagerly trying to plan my life ahead.”

She described her book as “a very simple story, it’s my story”.

She said it was not a “tell all” book.

“Everybody expected me to write one but that’s not what it is.” – Sapa

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