I am glad that the Human Rights Commission finally made a ruling about Julius Malema's "controversial" statements on June 16.

I am glad that the Human Rights Commission finally made a ruling about Julius Malema's "controversial" statements on June 16.

I hope that the ANCYL leader has learnt a lesson. There was lot of violence in South Africa during the apartheid era and the word kill does have different meanings for different people. I am relieved that Malema will never use the word again.

But Malema's statements might come back to haunt haunt him if the youth starts hurling insults at judges and cause disruptions during Jacob Zuma's coming trial.

Most people will not hesitate to point fingers at Malema if there are upheavals during and after the ANC president's trial.

Words are like a bullet. Once you pull the trigger it is impossible to take them back. It took a lot of courage for Malema to stick to his guns and not to apologise for his statements.

He should nevertheless take into consideration that the whole country is watching him closely and I hope, for his sake, that no one will be killed during Zuma's trial.

If that happens his tongue will be stained with the blood of innocent people, and the opposition parties will sacrifice him on the altar of public criticism, irrespective of whether he instigated the killings or not.

M Rama, Nelspruit