Govt probing Malema reports
2009-11-03 22:32
Cape Town - Government is investigating reports that controversial ANC Youth League president Julius Malema threw his weight around after being stopped for speeding in Limpopo, Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin said on Tuesday.
No-one was above the law, he told MPs in the National Assembly.
"We too in the department of transport department have... read the reports about the alleged behaviour of the ANC Youth League president, and we are [looking] into the matter.
"We want to assure South Africans that none of us are above the law. These are allegations... but we are seeking to establish what exactly happened.
"We would like to use this opportunity to assure traffic officers that they enjoy our support, and they must conduct their business without fear or favour," Cronin said.
'I am Julius'
Newspapers at the weekend reported that after being pulled over for speeding by traffic police in his home town of Seshego a fortnight ago, Malema allegedly stormed out of his vehicle and abused the officers.
He is alleged to have asked them: "Who do you think you are? Are you not aware that I am Julius, the president of the Youth League? I know that some of you hate me."
Malema then allegedly made several calls at the scene to senior ANC and government officials, instructing them to "discipline" the policemen.
'Idi Amin-like arrogance'
According to the reports, the traffic police at the scene were issued with letters the next day by their bosses, demanding written statements on their alleged mistreatment of the youth leader.
Speaking in the House on Tuesday, Democratic Alliance MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard described Malema as a man who believed there was one law for South African citizens, and another for him.
He had displayed an "Idi Amin-like arrogance" by throwing his weight around in Limpopo.
"Malema's ego and contempt for the law... is unparalleled," she said.
- SAPA