The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has welcomed the Gauteng High Court’s decision that found controversial politician, Kenny Kunene, guilty of hate speech.
Kunene, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) suspended deputy president, landed in hot water for referring to EFF leader Julius Malema as a cockroach during a television interview in 2021.
The court has ordered Kunene to issue a public apology and is interdicted from referring to Malema using the derogatory term. He has also been ordered to pay legal costs.
EFF SLAMS PA LEADERSHIP
In a statement, the party also criticised both Kunene and PA leader Gayton McKenzie.
“The EFF has always maintained that Kunene, alongside his political leader, represents the failure of the Correctional Services system in South Africa to rehabilitate convicts,” the statement read.
The Red Berets further accused the PA of perpetuating hateful rhetoric rooted in historical instances of genocide.
POLITICAL PARTY CELEBRATES VICTORY
The EFF celebrated the ruling, saying it reaffirms Malema’s right to human dignity. The party added that it sets a precedent to prevent “vulgar individuals” from bringing attitudes and behaviours “learnt in prison” into politics.
“We will continue to ensure that the political arena is not tainted by foul-mouthed associates of syndicates, and we encourage the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to improve its rehabilitation programmes to prevent the emergence of such individuals in the future,” the statement concluded.
The judgment follows revelations that Kunene was found at Katiso “KT” Molefe’s home when police arrested him in connection with the 2022 murder of Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody.
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