Why has South Africa's Malema been found guilty of hate speech again?

Julius Malema, 44, was found guilty of hate speech by South Africa's Equality Court for comments made at a 2022 political rally, marking the third such ruling against him. He leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a party focused on rights of Black South Africans whose members often wear red berets or military-style clothing. Malema formerly led the ANC Youth League and was expelled in 2012. He has advocated for expropriating land without compensation and nationalising mines to benefit Black South Africans. His vocal support for Hamas and a UK visa denial have generated further controversy. Tensions with the United States escalated after accusations of anti-white discrimination, leading to aid cuts and tariffs.

This is the third time the fiery opposition politician and leader of the left-wing EFF has been accused. South African opposition leader Julius Malema was found guilty of hate speech by the country's Equality Court on Wednesday this week over comments he made during a political rally in 2022. This is the third such ruling for the frequently outspoken and controversial leader of the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.

Malema, 44, is a longtime politician in South Africa and the founder of the EFF, a small leftist party that is notable for its focus on the rights of Black South Africans. Its members often don red berets or military-style clothing. Malema is known for his outspoken criticism of the major governing party, the African National Congress (ANC). He was formerly president of the ANC Youth League, until he was expelled in 2012 for going against then-president Jacob Zuma.

In May, United States President Donald Trump accused South Africa of discriminating against whites in the country, citing Malema as the leader of an anti-white movement. Relations between the two countries soured dismally this year, with Washington cutting aid to Pretoria and imposing high tariffs. The politician has championed controversial policies that many white South Africans see as targeting them, such as expropriating land without compensation and nationalising South African mines, both for the benefit of Black South Africans.

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