Afrikaner EFF member held for fraud

10 April 2014 - 11:44 By Sapa
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New member to the party, Wiekus Kotze, during an EFF Press Conference on January 9, 2014, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Economic Freedom Fighters spoke about their mission to win the 2014 National Elections despite their new-comer status.
New member to the party, Wiekus Kotze, during an EFF Press Conference on January 9, 2014, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Economic Freedom Fighters spoke about their mission to win the 2014 National Elections despite their new-comer status.
Image: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nicolene Olckers

EFF member Wiekus Kotze was arrested for fraud in Alberton, on the east Rand, early Thursday morning, the party said.

The 41-year-old was arrested on Wednesday in Brackendowns in Ekurhuleni.

Police spokesman Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said the EFF leader was reported to the police by a person who claimed to have been defrauded.

“It is alleged that the suspect has rented out a house to the complainant at R6 500 and the money was deposited into the suspects account. The complainant discovered that the house which was rented out does not belong to the suspect, and alerted the police. The suspect will be charged with fraud and investigations are continuing,” said Mofokeng.

Yesterday, members of EFF in Ekurhuleni region gathered outside the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court hoping that their leader would make a brief appearance in court but he did not arrive.

They latter dispatched in disappointment following long hours singing struggle songs outside court.

Provincial spokesman Patrick Sindane questioned the timing of the leader’s arrest.

“We are a bit concerned about the timing of his so called fraud charges. We think that this is nothing but a political game just to settle certain political scores by certain individuals,” he said.

“It is also aimed to silence our leader as he is known as one of the fearless and vibrant leaders in the economic freedom fighter,” Sindane said.

“The timing proves that the current enemies would do anything in their power to discredit the EFF and its leaders….They cannot compete with the EFF. The only method they can apply is to tarnish the image of the EFF and its leaders, use violence against the EFF and its members to such an extent that they would even violently disrupt events of the EFF,” he said. 

The man is expected to appear in court today.

EFF leader Julius Malema is also having his own legal battles.

Malema faces charges of fraud, corruption, money-laundering, and racketeering.

He appeared in the Limpopo high court in Polokwane in November last year and the matter was postponed until September this year.

This is to allow Malema to make representations to the National Prosecuting Authority to have the charges against him dropped. A decision by the NPA is still pending. If the NPA declines Malema’s plea, then the trial is expected to start in September.

Additional reporting by Ernest Mabuza

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