VBS claims against Pandor not a personal attack, but 'political engagement'

JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says his comments suggesting former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor benefitted from VBS money was not a personal attack, but a simple political statement.

Malema told the SABC during an interview in September that Pandor received a bond from the defunct VBS Mutual Bank.

The former minister has vehemently denied receiving anything from the bank, suggesting Malema was attempting to tarnish her reputation.

Malema clarified his comments on Pandor during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Friday.

ALSO READ: 'Absolutely shocking!' Naledi Pandor denies Julius Malema’s claim that she got a VBS bond

This comes after Pandor demanded a public apology from Malema.

Malema confirmed Pandor’s legal representatives have sent him a letter, demanding he retract his statement and further clarify what he meant.

However, the EFF leader has shown no interest in making a public apology.

“She came back and said 'you are wrong. I’m not involved in the way you are describing it and I don’t know what you’re talking about.' That’s a political engagement, that’s how it works. So political speech is protected by the Constitution of South Africa.”

Malema said he holds Pandor in high regard, asserting he wasn’t trying to defame the former minister.