Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema says he has no problem with political insults or criticism, but draws the line when false allegations are made about his name and character.
Malema made the remarks during an interview with journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika on the “Unpopular Opinion” podcast, where he addressed his ongoing legal battle with controversial figure Ngizwe Mchunu.
“I do not go around suing people for fighting politics with me. You can call me anything you want to call me, call me all sorts of names, but don’t lie about my name,” Malema said.
He added that political opponents have insulted him before without facing legal action from him.
“Ngizwe and them call me Mafinyila and all sorts of names, but I can’t sue them for that. I carry the surname of my grandmother and I cannot allow it to be dragged in the mud,” he said.
Malema said he could not allow accusations linking him to drugs and drug lords to go unchallenged.
“People will say I use drugs, I get money from drug lords. Why do you lie? Once you lie about my name, I have to protect my name for my children who cannot fight for me,” he said.
The EFF leader further denied allegations connecting him to drug trafficking and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, popularly known as Mazzotti.
“Kenny knows that I don’t use drugs. I don’t sell drugs for Mazzotti. You can disagree with me politically, but don’t lie and threaten me,” Malema said.
He also responded to threats allegedly made against him regarding entering KwaZulu-Natal.
“You can’t threaten me that I am not going to enter KZN. During the time of Mangosuthu Buthelezi, I was the one who opened the way for the ANC to campaign in Nongoma when it was declared a no-go area,” he said.
Malema said he was preparing another contempt of court application against Ngizwe Mchunu, alleging that defamatory remarks continued even after an interim court order was granted.
“He is bringing another application of contempt against Ngizwe because when the interim order was given, he kept on defaming me,” Malema said.
He concluded by warning against lawlessness and reckless public attacks.
“We can’t allow a situation where drunkards can just run amok insulting people as if there is no law in this country,” he said.
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