Fact Check: President Ramaphosa Breaks Silence on UK Arrest Warrant for Julius Malema
What We Know
The claim that President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed an international arrest warrant for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema issued by the United Kingdom is based on a recent public statement. During a joint press conference with EU dignitaries at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Ramaphosa confirmed that his office had been briefed by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) about the UK's legal request. He emphasized that South Africa, as a constitutional democracy, would follow appropriate legal and diplomatic channels, reiterating that no individual is above the law.
The UK Magistrates’ Court reportedly issued a sealed warrant for Malema in connection with an alleged money laundering and organized financial crime investigation involving a British-based shell company, Rutherford Consulting Ltd. British prosecutors allege that Malema benefitted from over £4.2 million that flowed through offshore accounts tied to Rutherford Consulting, flagged by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Interpol. The transactions, dating back to 2020–2023, were allegedly disguised as consulting fees for non-existent Pan-African land reform initiatives. Malema has denied these allegations, dismissing the warrant as "colonial vengeance disguised as due process."
Analysis
The primary source of the claim is a YouTube video that reports on Ramaphosa's statement regarding the arrest warrant. The video provides a direct quote from Ramaphosa, which aligns with the claim's details. However, the credibility of this source is uncertain as it lacks the backing of established news organizations or official government releases.
In contrast, another source discusses Ramaphosa's response to a different context involving Julius Malema, specifically addressing pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump to arrest Malema over a controversial chant. This source highlights Ramaphosa's stance on national sovereignty and legal processes, which is consistent with his approach to the UK warrant situation. However, it does not directly corroborate the claim about the UK warrant.
The International Online article further supports Ramaphosa's commitment to national sovereignty and legal frameworks, indicating a consistent policy stance. However, it does not specifically address the UK arrest warrant, focusing instead on the broader context of international pressure.
Conclusion
Verdict: Needs Research
The claim that President Ramaphosa publicly addressed a UK arrest warrant for Julius Malema is partially supported by available sources, particularly a YouTube video that quotes Ramaphosa. However, the credibility of this source is questionable, and corroborative evidence from established news outlets or official statements is lacking. Additional research and verification from reliable sources are necessary to confirm the accuracy and context of the claim.
Sources
- Trump confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa with false ...
- A check of Trump's false claims about white genocide in ...
- Ramaphosa Breaks Silence on Julius Malema's UK Arrest Warrant ...
- Ramaphosa stands firm against Trump: 'We will not arrest Malema over ...
- Ramaphosa responds to Trump's call to arrest Julius Malema
- Malume_Gee on X: "BREAKING NEWS President Ramaphosa ...
- Malema won't be Arrested, Ramaphosa sends ...
- EFF President Julius Malema Responds to Donald Trump Calling for His Arrest
