South African politician Julius Malema has been convicted of hate speech for remarks he delivered at a political rally in 2022.
"I'm not going to let any white man harm me," Malema stated, "You should never be afraid to fight back."
The nation’s equality court determined that the statement "demonstrated an intent to incite harm," but Malema's far-left Economic Freedom Fighters Party argued it had been taken out of context.
Earlier this year, during a meeting at the White House with South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, U.S. President Donald Trump showed a video featuring Malema. In this context, Trump made unfounded claims that the South African government was endorsing violence against white farmers to confiscate their land. Consequently, the United States has withdrawn all financial aid to South Africa citing alleged policies of discrimination against whites and anti-American sentiment.
Malema was previously found guilty of hate speech in a different case for reciting an apartheid-era chant at rallies that included the phrase “shoot the boer," which targets South Africa’s white Afrikaner farmers. However, this verdict was later overturned.
Equality courts address allegations of discrimination and have the authority to mandate those found guilty to issue a public apology, pay compensation, or face criminal prosecution. In Malema's most recent case, no decision has been made yet regarding his punishment.
Malema, a lawmaker not currently holding a government position, has frequently faced criticism in his country for his political rhetoric. This year, he was denied entry to the UK on two occasions due to his public declarations, which include backing the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
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