“No one in this country is untouchable or above the law, and that includes you, Mr Malema”
— Mbuyiselo Botha, Sonke Gender Justice.
After three previous court appearances, the case against Julius Malema is now scheduled to resume on Monday, 31st Aug 2009 at the Equality Court, which is situated at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on the 2nd Floor.
Sonke will be holding demonstrations outside the Johannesburg Magistrate Court and outside the Cape Town High Court to show our commitment to ending violence against women and to make it clear that many men are actively concerned about ending South Africa’s alarmingly high levels of rape and domestic violence.
We call upon all South Africans to join Sonke in our endeavour to hold public officials accountable for their statements. We call especially on the many men who have participated in One Man Can workshops to join us or to take action in their local communities to highlight their opposition to rape and domestic violence.
Sonke Gender Justice
Sonke Gender Justice works predominantly with men and boys, and organizations working with men and boys, engaging them around issues of gender, gender violence and HIV. We work across Africa strengthening government, civil society and citizen capacity to support men and boys to take action to promote gender equality, prevent domestic and sexual violence and reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS.
Background to the Court Case
In March this year, Sonke took ANC Youth League President Julius Malema to the Equality Court for a statement he made to Cape Peninsula University of Technology students on January 22, 2009. He said of women making accusations of rape that “when a woman didn’t enjoy it, she leaves early in the morning. Those who had a nice time will wait until the sun comes out, request breakfast and ask for taxi money.” Sonke is arguing before the Court that these statements perpetuate rape myths and stereotypes, which have an effect on perpetuating acts of sexual violence against women and the under-reporting of such sexual violence. Sonke is making three arguments in the case that Malema’s statements amount to hate speech, and/or unfair discrimination, and/or harassment. Sonke spokespersons Bafana Khumalo, Mbuyiselo Botha and Desmond Lesejane will be available before and after the event for comment.
For further information please contact:
Rev. Bafana Khumalo
Sonke Co-Director
Work: 011 339 3589
Cell: 082 905 7587
Mbuyiselo Botha
Senior Programmes Advisor
Work: 011 339 3589
Cell: 082 518 1177
