Ah the drama that is SA politics, fetch your popcorn and get comfortable it seems we are in for an epic season of greed, betrayal and a lot of dirty talking.















When news broke last week that expelled ANC youth league leader Julius Malema might be charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering. One would have thought that this would tamper his ‘man of the people’ image and that surely his supports could not stand behind a man accused of the same capitalism and corruption he claims is destroying our country, however the ‘Juju camp’ supporters loyalty seems to have no limit.
 

In the days following the accusations Malema and his supporters have become convinced that the case against him is just the workings of President Jacob Zumas’ manipulating the Hawks investigation unit. On Tuesday 25th September the night ahead of Malema handing himself over to the Polokwane Regional Court. The ‘Friends of the youth league’ group and other supports gathered for a night vigil at Nirvana community hall in support of Juju, they apparently sang a revised version of the now controversial song “shoot the boer” chanting instead “Shoot Zuma’!
 

On Wednesday 26 September Malema appeared in the dock with all the confidence in the world dawning an expensive suit and tie, smiling and laughing. The actual charges against him were revealed to be only one charge of money laundering and a standing of the 10th accused in the case. Malema owns the Ratanang Trust account alleged to be involved in numerous illegal tenders in the Limpopo Transport department amongst others.

He was granted bail of a R10 000 while the other suspects received R40 000 for their suspected greater involvement in illegal activities. Outside the court room Malema went straight to attacking President Jacob Zuma “They (Hawks) have been sent by illiterate Jacob Zuma who knows nothing” he said. He also made it very clear that he was “unshaken” by the charges and would not be made fearful by “nonsense”.

 

As to be expected the President has said nothing about Juju’s accusations and the rest of the “Zuma camp” seems to be still calculating their next move. Accepting that the President is behind the case seems just too farfetched for me and anyone with the understanding of the legal system and legislation would know why. But yet again our President has come to be known as quite the magician with making his own charges disappear as quoted by Malema “he has 700 charges and has not been trailed for even one”. With Mangaung around the corner, where

Malema plans to make his return and Zuma plans to somehow retain his position as president, we know a lot of scheming is happening.
It’s up to you to decide who you believe but chances are neither version of the story is true! Politics is a dirty world were affiliations change more often than the weather. Was it not only 4 years ago when Juju and Zuma were the best of friends harmoniously plotting the ousting of Thabo Mbeki?