East London – Tensions escalated outside the East London Magistrate’s Court after EFF President Julius Malema made inflammatory remarks about Magistrate Twanet Olivier, while his supporters clashed verbally with members of the civil rights group AfriForum.
Speaking to a crowd of EFF supporters, Malema referred to Magistrate Olivier as “that ugly white face” and declared that he was “done with her.”
He recounted the moment she granted him leave to appeal and released him on free bail, saying: “When she said to me you can leave now on free bail, I looked at her and I said bye bye. Because I’ve seen her ugly face for too long, so I’m going. I will no longer appear before that ugly white face.”
Malema’s comments were met with cheers from EFF supporters gathered at the court.
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Clashes with AfriForum
The remarks come amid reports of verbal clashes between EFF members and AfriForum supporters outside the courthouse. During the exchanges, some EFF members reportedly called AfriForum members “terrorists.”
AfriForum has not yet issued an official response to the latest insults directed at the magistrate or the alleged name-calling.
Background to the Case
The strong statements follow Magistrate Twanet Olivier’s recent decision to grant Julius Malema leave to appeal his conviction and five-year prison sentence in a case involving the unlawful discharge of a firearm at an EFF event in 2018.
While the appeal process is underway, Malema remains free on bail and can continue his duties as EFF leader and Member of Parliament.
Legal experts note that such public attacks on judicial officers are rare and could spark further debate about respect for the judiciary.
The case is expected to be heard next in the High Court in Bhisho. The full appeal process is likely to take between two and five years to conclude.
This latest development has once again highlighted the highly charged political atmosphere surrounding Malema’s long-running legal battle.
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