Malema was misquoted: Friends

2012-09-03 22:22

Julius Malema (File, Sapa)

Johannesburg - Former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema on Monday denied a report quoting him saying he would be arrested soon, the Friends of the Youth League (FYL) said.

"President Julius Malema said that he had heard [a] rumour that he will be arrested because one of the bodyguards of Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa called to say Mthethwa promised to arrest [him] immediately after the Marikana massacre," the group's Floyd Shivambu said in a statement.

"Newspapers should be careful on how they report about these issues because they are misleading and sensational in nature."

Shivambu said Malema was ready to face the law if there was a case for him to answer to.

The Mail & Guardian online reported that Malema had received the public protector's provisional report into claims of corruption against him.

"I am aware of the [looming] arrest. One of Mthethwa's bodyguards phoned me to say he overheard the minister talking to people about my arrest. There is nothing genuine. It is political," Malema was quoted as saying.

The FYL said people losing political support were using law enforcement agencies to fight their political battles.

"Nathi Mthethwa and his masters should know that they will never suppress the voice that calls for their removal from the ANC leadership and will never suppress the millions of voices that are decrying South African government's directionlessness, murderous conduct, and confusion since Jacob Zuma was elected president," Shivambu said.

- SAPA