Malema’s R1m defamation battle with Kunene heads to court

By Marcus Moloko

The Johannesburg High Court is set to hear a R1 million defamation lawsuit brought by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema against Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene.

The dispute comes from remarks Kunene made during an appearance on the popular online show Podcast and Chill with MacG.

In the interview, Kunene alleged that Malema made midnight visits to the Dinokeng farm of the late taxi boss Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi, who has been linked to the so called “Big Five” cartel under investigation by the Madlanga Commission.

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Kunene also referred to Malema as a “boy”, a term Malema’s legal team argues carries racially charged undertones rooted in South Africa’s apartheid history.

Kunene has dismissed this claim, saying he merely meant Malema was younger than him.

Kunene has refused to retract his statements, instead filing