"Those statements were hurtful, intended to incite hatred and constituted hate speech," Malatji said. He said the minister will demand that Malema pay R150000 for his statements. That amount, if granted, would be donated to charitable causes.
In a statement, Gordhan said: "I have not responded until now to the absolute nonsensical and unsubstantiated attacks, but extending these attacks to my family and threatening harmony among the people of South Africa was a step too far. Enough is enough."
The EFF responded to Gordhan's move by announcing its intention to "open a criminal charge against Gordhan" at the same police station.
"The criminal case is about money laundering, corruption, racketeering, fraud, contravention of Intelligence Act and Prevention of Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, and perjury," said EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
As Gordhan prepared to give testimony before the state capture commission last week, the EFF began a campaign largely focusing on the minister's daughter, Anisha, and her alleged involvement in businesses that were awarded contracts by the National Treasury.
Gordhan and his family dispute the EFF's claims. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday gave his public support to Gordhan.
Pravin Gordhan, Julius Malema lawfare Macala
Image: ALON SKUY
Image: REUTERS/Rogan Ward
It is now an all-out lawfare between public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan and EFF leader Julius Malema.
Just hours after Gordhan laid charges of crimen injuria, incitement to violence and criminal defamation against the EFF leader and his deputy Floyd Shivambu, Malema announced that he'll be heading to a police station today to do the same against the minister.
The lawfare is the latest round in a long-running battle between Malema and Gordhan. It reached a climax last week when Malema launched a scathing attack on Gordhan, accusing him of being "corrupt" and "a dog of white monopoly capital".
Addressing reporters outside the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria yesterday, Gordhan's lawyer Tebogo Malatji said the minister would further also lay a hate speech complaint with the Equality Court against Malema.
Pravin Gordhan lays criminal charges against Malema
"Those statements were hurtful, intended to incite hatred and constituted hate speech," Malatji said. He said the minister will demand that Malema pay R150000 for his statements. That amount, if granted, would be donated to charitable causes.
In a statement, Gordhan said: "I have not responded until now to the absolute nonsensical and unsubstantiated attacks, but extending these attacks to my family and threatening harmony among the people of South Africa was a step too far. Enough is enough."
The EFF responded to Gordhan's move by announcing its intention to "open a criminal charge against Gordhan" at the same police station.
"The criminal case is about money laundering, corruption, racketeering, fraud, contravention of Intelligence Act and Prevention of Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, and perjury," said EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
As Gordhan prepared to give testimony before the state capture commission last week, the EFF began a campaign largely focusing on the minister's daughter, Anisha, and her alleged involvement in businesses that were awarded contracts by the National Treasury.
Gordhan and his family dispute the EFF's claims. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday gave his public support to Gordhan.
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema laid charges of fraud, perjury and corruption against public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan on November 27 2018, at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria.
READ MORE:
Anisha Gordhan received no direct payments as non-executive director of Investec
'EFF will fight Pravin to the end'
Gordhan: My daughter never benefited from state contracts
WATCH | Pravin Gordhan 'is a dog of white monopoly capital', says Julius Malema
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