Malema’s remarks place a target on legal practitioners – Solidarity demands action

The Solidarity Law Network strongly condemns statements made by Julius Malema in which he openly labelled Magistrate Twanet Olivier a “racist of note.” He also insulted Public Prosecutor Joel Cesar, accused him of misconduct and lies and suggested that a case of perjury should be opened against him.

Malema was recently found guilty and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after discharging a firearm at a political gathering in 2018. He was, among other charges, convicted of the unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging it in a public space.

Instead of respecting the court’s judgment, he has chosen to openly undermine the integrity of the judiciary.

Dr Llewelyn Curlewis, a member of the Solidarity Law Network advisory council, believes that Malema’s conduct amounts to mob behaviour and propaganda by a radical criminal.

According to Riaan Visser, head of Solidarity’s Law Network, South Africa is already a country where legal practitioners are under pressure, and he describes such remarks as extremely dangerous.

“There is good reason why this kind of attack on legal practitioners cannot be tolerated,” says Visser

Visser points out that South Africa has experienced a disturbing increase in violence against legal practitioners in recent years:

• Earlier this year, labour lawyer Chinette Gallichan was shot dead in cold blood outside the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
• In September 2025, Bouwer van Niekerk, an attorney and business rescue practitioner, was murdered in his office after attackers posed as clients.
• Four years ago, attorney Schalk Pienaar was murdered in Mokopane due to his involvement in a corruption case.
• The assassination of liquidator Cloete Murray and his son further shocked the country.

Anton van der Bijl, Deputy Chief Executive of Legal Matters at Solidarity, agrees with Visser and believes that these incidents highlight why irresponsible remarks of utterances directed at legal practitioners should under no circumstances be tolerated.

“Against this background, it is irresponsible and dangerous to launch personal attacks on judges and magistrates. It places a target on the backs of legal practitioners, particularly those involved in high-profile matters,” Van der Bijl adds.

Solidarity emphasises that the independence and safety of the judiciary are cornerstones of the rule of law.

“Any attempt to undermine this must be firmly opposed,” says Visser.

Solidarity urgently calls on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the authorities to prioritise the safety of legal practitioners, to curb this type of inflammatory behaviour at its source, and to unequivocally condemn it.

“Disagreeing with a judgment does not grant anyone, including Malema, the right to resort to outrageous attacks against a magistrate, public prosecutor or any other legal practitioner,” Van der Bijl concludes.