FORMER Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Thembinkosi Rawula, who alleged Julius Malema confessed to receiving funds from the looted VBS, has found a new home in ActionSA.
The party’s leader in the Eastern Cape, Athol Trollip, announced the news on Monday, 9 October.
Rawula has been a political activist since his days as a student at Nelson Mandela University in 2000, and he was a member of parliament until he resigned after he successfully defended a defamation case against EFF leader Malema.
In 2019, Rawula made shocking allegations on a social media post against Malema and his deputy, Floyd Shivambu, claiming that Malema confessed to receiving funds from the looted VBS Bank.
Malema took legal action against Rawula, demanding an apology from him and the payment of R1 million for the defamation case.
Rawula refused to apologise and defended his claims at the Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape, stating that he had good reasons for making the allegation despite no evidence to support his claims.
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Recently, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed an appeal from Malema in the defamation case against Rawula.
Asked about his decision to join ActionSA, Rawula said when the party leader Herman Mashaba said they needed to fix South Africa, it resonated with him.
“We need to build an inclusive South Africa for all because gone are the days that we should be divided on the basis of race. That resonated with me,” he said.
Trollip said Rawula has demonstrated in the past that in a country where corruption is on the rise, the rule of law is undermined.
He said they should always stand for what is ethically correct, especially in the presence of potentially compromised individuals.
“ActionSA is pleased to announce Rawula as a new addition to the party’s Eastern Cape structure. Mr Rawula brings a wealth of experience, having served in the National Assembly on the opposition benches and boasting an impressive resume.
“We look forward to working with Mr Rawula to grow and strengthen our membership base, leveraging his invaluable experience,” Trollip said.
