NPA condemns threats against prosecutor in Malema case

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has on Friday condemned social media threats directed at a prosecutor involved in a case linked to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema.

In a statement the NPA said, content circulating on the social media platform X, which purports to represent the EFF, contains serious threats against the prosecutor handling the matter. One post reads: “MALEMA: The Only thing we need to do is to make sure that this Prosecutor, who is arrogant, and suffers from SHORT-MAN SYNDROME, is taught a lesson!”.

The threats comes after Magistrate Twanet Olivier on Thursday sentenced the EFF leader to five years in prison after he was found guilty of the illegal possession of a gun and firing it in public.

The authority expressed deep concern over the intimidation, stressing that such conduct undermines the rule of law and endangers those tasked with upholding justice.

"Threats against prosecutors whether perceived as credible or not must be treated with the utmost seriousness and reported to the relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation."

"Such conduct undermines the rule of law and poses a real risk to the safety and lives of those entrusted with upholding justice. This concern is heightened in the Eastern Cape, where three prosecutors have tragically been killed over the past two years, underscoring the very real dangers faced by members of the prosecuting authority," NPA said.

The NPA said it remains resolute in ensuring that prosecutors can perform their duties independently, safely, and effectively. It warned that threats against prosecutors will carry consequences and urged individuals to refrain from any form of intimidation.