<\/p>\n
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday said it intended to file charges against both Economic Freedom Fighters\u2019 leader Julius Malema and the African National Congress government for Malema chanting \u201cKill the boer, kill the farmer\u201d.<\/p>\n
DA Leader John Steenhuisen said the party would file charges at the United Nations Human Rights Council after Malema\u2019s chanting at the EFF\u2019s 10th anniversary celebrations at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe DA recently forced the South African government to live up to its international responsibility to comply with warrants issued by the International Criminal Court,\u201d he said on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will now do the same to force it to act against Malema,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n
In a live broadcast speech, Steenhuisen detailed that the first element of their UN case will focus on Malema\u2019s repeated incitement of ethnic violence.<\/p>\n
The second element, he said, would charge the ANC national government before the UN over its \u201cyears-long failure to take action against their one time prot\u00e9g\u00e9\u201d, even as brutal farm murders continue to escalate in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Steenhuisen said the charge would be laid in terms of Malema\u2019s violation of, at least, three key UN charters.<\/p>\n
This included, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Article 3 of the Convention makes it a punishable offence to direct and publicly incite people to commit mass murder on the basis of their identity.<\/p>\n
The second is the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. <\/p>\n
This declaration compelled the South African government to ensure that persons belonging to minority groups may exercise their rights \u2013 including, in this case, the right to life and to practice the profession of farming \u2013 without any discrimination.<\/p>\n
The third is article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.<\/p>\n
In addition to turning to the international community, Steenhuisen said they would also file a complaint with Parliament\u2019s ethics committee against Malema, in his capacity as a Member of Parliament.<\/p>\n
The DA was also obtaining legal advice on approaching the Public Protector and the courts.<\/p>\n
In the wake of the EFF 10th anniversary celebrations at the weekend, where Malema chanted the \u201ckill the boer\u201d lyrics that have become a subject of great controversy, the DA and AfriForum immediately said it would hold Malema accountable for his dangerous remarks.<\/p>\n
The lyrics were declared hate speech during Malema\u2019s time as ANC Youth League president. In the years preceding, he remixed the song to \u201ckiss the boer\u201d.<\/p>\n
But, Malema sang the original again, and last year a court judgment was handed down in his favour, declaring the lyrics not harmful or hate speech.<\/p>\n
AfriForum has since appealed, and the Supreme Court of Appeal is meant to hear the matter later this year.<\/p>\n
Addressing farmers directly, Steenhuisen spoke in Afrikaans calling on the farmers to take Malema seriously, and protect themselves and their families within the framework of the law.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to speak directly to our farmers. Although Julius Malema’s violence will throw our entire country into turmoil, he fosters a particular hatred towards our farmers,\u201d Steenhuisen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’d therefore like to urge you to take Malema seriously, and protect yourselves and your families within the framework of the law. If you have any questions, or need help, reach out to your local DA representative, and we will help.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn opposition to Malema’s hatred, the DA fosters respect and awe towards our brave farmers who feed us all. We will therefore do everything in our power to stop Malema,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
kailene.pillay@inl.co.za<\/p>\n
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