AfriForum files contempt of court complaint against Malema & EFF over land incitement

AfriForum has filed an application for contempt of court against the EFF and the party’s leader, Julius Malema, with the High Court in Pretoria. The application was issued by the court on Friday.

In its latest court application, the civil rights organisation requests the court that Malema and the EFF be found guilty of contempt of court, and that the EFF be fined R500 000 and Malema be sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, or another appropriate sanction be imposed.

AfriForum’s contempt of court application follows a court order issued in its favour on 7 March 2017 and served on the EFF and Malema. This order prohibits the EFF and Malema from inciting, instigating, commanding, or procuring any individual to trespass or enter any land without the required permission of the owner or lawful occupant.

Since then, the EFF and Malema have made several unsuccessful attempts to have the order set aside. Costs orders were awarded in AfriForum’s favour in the resulting judgments. The party and its leader ultimately approached the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The EFF and Malema know exactly what the court order stipulates and have spent years unsuccessfully trying to overturn it. They are now wilfully ignoring the order, and AfriForum will ensure that they face the consequences of their actions.

Kriel explains.

This case is about the rule of law.