Justice department seeks to shield court officials from cameras after Malema鈥檚 post-sentencing outburst
via The Namibian4 min read
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the National Prosecuting Authority NPA are addressing remarks made by EFF leader Julius Malema following his sentencing in the KuGompo firearm case. Malema's comments, directed at magistrate Twanet Olivier and state advocate Joel Cesar, have prompted concerns about the safety and dignity of judicial officers. The Department of Justice plans to introduce conditions for broadcasting court proceedings, including prohibiting the display of faces of judges, magistrates, and prosecutors. This initiative comes after Malema publicly criticized Olivier, calling her "incompetent" and "a racist," and accused Cesar of arrogance and undermining court processes. The NPA has condemned these statements, which were broadcast live on the EFF's X page, as serious threats and emphasized the need to protect prosecutors, especially given recent killings of prosecutors in the Eastern Cape. Both the department and the NPA have agreed to investigate Malema's comments to determine appropriate action. Malema was released on warning and has been granted leave to appeal his sentence, and he intends to appeal his conviction as well.
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