Zamahlubi Msimang

BREAKING NEWS AFRI-FORUM WANTS MALEMA ARRESTED AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel has renewed calls for Economic Freedom.Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to face jail time following recent developments at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The renewed criticism comes after Malema submitted an affidavit in which he acknowledged that it is public knowledge the EFF received funding from businessman Adriano Mazzotti, while firmly denying any illegal conduct or wrongdoing. Kriel argues that the latest developments strengthen AfriForum's long-held position that Malema should be prosecuted. Malema, however, maintains that the allegations against him are without merit and insists he has done nothing unlawful. The Madlanga Commission is still hearing evidence, and no final findings or criminal convictions have been made against Malema. Early on Wednesday, Malema admitted in an affidavit submitted to the Madlanga Commission that the EFF was registered using money donated by controversial Carnilinx CEO Mazzotti. Malema said the information was not new, describing it as facts he had voluntarily placed in the public domain since the party was founded. Malema said he publicly disclosed Mazzotti's financial contribution during the EFF's 10-year anniversary celebration, one of the party's most widely publicised events. “I voluntarily stated at the EFF 10 year celebration event that Mr Mazzotti who is the CEO of Carnilix, donated funds that helped register the EFF,” he said in his affidavit submitted to the commission. The EFF leader also confirmed that his wife previously lived in the same residential complex as Mazzotti under a lease agreement. “It is also a matter of public record that my wife used to reside at property that is in the same complex precinct as Mr Mazzotti, under a lease agreement,” Malema stated. He stressed the words “under lease agreement”, saying they had been correctly recorded in investigator Tshepo Nyatlo's affidavit, unlike media reports claiming he stayed there free of charge. Malema's affidavit which was read by Advocate Chaskalson formed part of proceedings at the Madlanga Commission, where evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim also addressed a 2014 affidavit submitted by Mazzotti to the South African Revenue Service during efforts to regularise Carnilinx's tax affairs. Mazzotti argued that the affidavit related to historical tax compliance matters and should not be treated as proof of present-day criminal conduct. Last week evidence Leader Advocate Hassim told the commission that Mazzotti's affidavit went beyond tax disputes. She said it contained alleged admissions relating to the manufacturing of cigarettes “off the books”, non-compliance with customs and tax laws, unlawful tobacco imports, unaccounted cash income and the unlawful acquisition of at least two tonnes of tobacco per week over a sustained period. Hassim also told the commission that the affidavit referred to cash payments totalling R800,000 to a legal adviser based on the belief that South African Revenue Service officials could be influenced. Mazzotti, however, rejected suggestions that the affidavit proved organised criminal activity, maintaining that Carnilinx operates legally under a South African Revenue Service licence and disputing allegations contained in the commission investigator's submission.