No proof courts are suppressing political speech – analyst

Malema has accused the courts of suppressing political speech.  

Former finance minister Trevor Manuel recently sued the EFF for defamation of character after the party said the appointment of the new South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, was irregular due to his relationship with Manuel. 

The party was ordered to apologise to Manuel and pay R500 000 in damages, a ruling it has vowed to challenge in the Supreme Court of Appeal.

On Thursday, Malema's bid to have the Riotous Assemblies Act, which was used to charge him with incitement to violence for encouraging his members to occupy vacant land, was dismissed by the high court in Pretoria. 

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"South Africa must be aware that the suppression of political speech is a direct threat to constitutional democracy. The courts must not make a mistake of suppressing political speech, because of we can't express ourselves politically because we are scared we will be arrested or taken to court, people will resort to other means which are not acceptable in terms of the constitution. Let us guard the constitution with everything particularly free speech," Malema told his supporters outside court. 

The party is also being dragged to court by African National Congress (ANC) treasurer Paul Mashatile for saying he knows what happened to the money meant for the Alexandra Renewal Project.

Fikeni says there is no proof that courts are biased to those aligned to President Cyril Ramaphosa, as has been suggested by Malema.