South African opposition leader Julius Malema, head of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been found guilty of hate speech by the country’s Equality Court following remarks he made during a 2022 rally. The conviction has reignited fierce debate about race, politics, and freedom of expression in South Africa, three decades after the end of apartheid.
Malema’s comments came after an incident in which a white man allegedly assaulted an EFF member. Speaking at the rally, Malema declared: “No white man is going to beat me up… you must never be scared to kill. A revolution demands that at some point there must be killing.” The court ruled that his words “demonstrated an intent to incite harm”, describing them as vigilantism and incitement of extreme violence.
Two formal complaints were lodged against the 44-year-old politician — one by the South African Human Rights Commission and another by a citizen who claimed they were threatened as a result of his statements. While the court acknowledged that condemning racist behavior may be acceptable, it stressed that calling for killings could not be tolerated in a democratic society.
The EFF, however, rejected the ruling, arguing that Malema’s rhetoric was being deliberately misinterpreted. In a statement, the party said the judgment ignored the context of “metaphor, revolutionary rhetoric, and the history of liberation struggles”, accusing the court of stifling political expression.
Malema, known for his fiery speeches and populist style, has long been a polarizing figure in South Africa and beyond. In 2024, the UK government banned him from entering the country, citing his remarks on race and his vocal support for Hamas, which included a pledge to arm the group if his party ever took power. The UK Home Office described him as “non-conducive to the public good.”
He has also drawn international criticism, including from former US President Donald Trump, who clashed with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after playing a video of Malema chanting the anti-apartheid struggle song “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer.” While Afrikaner lobby groups have sought to ban the song, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that such chants are not to be taken literally but understood in the context of protest and historical struggle.
Despite the ruling, Malema and the EFF remain influential. The party secured fourth place in South Africa’s 2024 general election, and Malema continues to position himself as a voice for the economically marginalized, particularly the country’s youth.
The case highlights South Africa’s ongoing struggle to balance freedom of speech, historical memory, and racial reconciliation. With the conviction, Malema faces not only legal consequences but also increasing international scrutiny, raising questions about the future of his political career and the broader political landscape of post-apartheid South Africa.
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