Eastern Cape premier and ANC provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane has confirmed he is taking legal action against EFF leader Julius Malema after he alleged that Mabuyane had fraudulently obtained a master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare.
Malema was addressing EFF supporters outside the magistrate’s court in KuGompo City on Thursday.
Mabuyane confirmed the legal action in the wake of Malema’s claims.
Though the ANC on Thursday evening announced that he had opened a defamation case, Mabuyane on Friday clarified that he was not necessarily taking that path.
“I have instructed my lawyers to start the process of litigation to stop his mischief,” he said.
The ANC in the Eastern Cape welcomed the move.
The party strongly condemned “the clearly orchestrated attack by the cult leader on ANC voters on the sidelines of KuGompo magistrate’s court today”.
“Julius is hell-bent to use vilification and slander to attack Mabuyane knowing very well that the UFH matter is still sub-judice and in court,” ANC provincial spokesperson Yanga Zicina said.
“The continuous onslaught and uncouth behaviour by Malema on the ANC voters and the ANC itself is indicative of his deepening desperation for votes.
“His cult movement has failed to convince the electorate of their policies; they have nothing to offer except continuous insults on the intelligence of the people of this province and attacks on their leadership.
“Malema’s outbursts are irresponsible, dangerous and illustrative of an immature leader with no comprehension of the consequence of his public conduct.”
Zicina said Malema had to accept that SA is a democratic country where people freely elected leaders of their choice.
“In the 2024 national and provincial elections, our people exercised this right and reaffirmed their confidence in the ANC as the organisation with the track record, capacity and commitment to move South Africa and the province forward,” Zicina said.
“The recent by-election results at Ward 32 in Buffalo City Metro , Ward 14 in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality and just yesterday at Ward 9 in Sakhisizwe Municipality in which the ANC emerged victorious, are a testament to the unwavering support of our people, who continue to affirm the ANC despite the torrent of false allegations and manufactured lies
“We will at all material times defend our people’s hard-won democracy and protect it against those who are clearly working relentlessly to undermine it and cause anarchy.”
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.