Malema lashes his 'white lawyer' critics

‘No fool can tell me which lawyer must represent me.’ These were the words from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema outside the Randburg Magistrate's Court in reaction to criticism on social media that he is employing white lawyers. Malema is on trial with MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi for allegedly assaulting a police officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Johannes Jacobus Venter, at Fourways Memorial Cemetery during the funeral proceedings of struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela on 14 April 2018. Some of the criticism aimed at Malema was that he was seemingly an advocate of black liberation but he himself used white lawyers, notes News24. He said: ‘It is true, we are represented by white lawyers. They will represent us today, tomorrow and anytime we want. No one chooses lawyers for us. We choose our own lawyers and we know which one is best, where. When we go to this battle we take this one and when we go to that battle, we take this one (sic).’ Malema told scores of EFF members, who had gathered outside the court, the party was not anti-white but against ‘white racists’. He added they wanted patriotic white South Africans who loved the country, the Constitution and were willing to share the wealth and land. ‘Laurence Hodes has been with me from long time ago. He didn't start to represent me now. He has represented me before and he will represent me anytime I want him to represent me. No fool can tell me which lawyer must represent me,’ Malema said.