“Prison Is Their Tool to Neutralise Him”: Pieter Kriel Reacts to Malema’s Sentencing, SA Divided

• Political commentator Pieter Kriel questioned the urgency of the legal case that saw EFF leader Julius Malema sentenced to five years in prison
• The activist shared his views on Facebook, where viewers were divided over whether the ruling was a victory for the law or a political hit
• Social media users supported Pieter’s silencing theory, while others noted that the case had been active since 2018
• Briefly News reached out to Pieter Kriel to establish what about Julius Malema’s sentencing makes him believe that there was a Western influence

Human rights activist Pieter Kriel set social media ablaze after suggesting that the five-year prison sentence handed to the EFF leader was a calculated move. He said it was intended to silence him as he had become a threat to the West.

The post was shared on Pieter Kriel’s Facebook account on 16 April, where it attracted hundreds of comments from viewers who debated the sentence.

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Writing to his followers on the platform, Pieter did not dispute Malema's guilt but questioned the sudden speed of the prosecution. The young man alleged that AfriForum, which he said had deep Western connections, was the driving force behind the conviction.

Suspiciously fast judgment

He argued that the justice system, which struggled to prosecute state capture architects, found unexpected efficiency in this case. Facebook user Pieter Kriel asked if it was a coincidence that the West and AfriForum were celebrating while a politician who challenged them was being jailed.

See the Facebook post below:

Pieter Kriel speaks on the Western influence

The Briefly News team had the pleasure of speaking with Pieter Kriel on the subject at hand.

We asked the young man if AfriForum’s involvement in the case changed how he views the court’s guilty verdict. He responded:

“I have no problem with justice, I only ask for a free and fair trial for all people! Eight years sounds long until you compare it to Zuma’s Arms Deal. He was charged in 2005, and there’s still no conviction. We can also compare it to the Nkandla investigations. The Zondo Commission ran for six years and cost R1 billion, and the people implicated are still walking free. These are among many other cases.”

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Noting Pieter’s belief that Malema is being silenced as a threat to the West, we asked him how that affects the EFF’s future. He said:

“That’s my point. In South Africa, powerful politicians don’t get convicted quickly, and so when Malema, who embarrasses the West and the ANC establishment alongside white capital, suddenly gets convicted and sentenced! Forgive me for lifting an eyebrow. AfriForum driving the case doesn’t make the verdict wrong, but it tells me everything about who had the motivation to see it through.”

SA reacts to Julius Malema’s sentencing

The activist’s comments went viral, garnering nearly 900 comments from social media users with differing opinions. Many viewers echoed his sentiments, alleging that Julius is viewed as a threat by Western powers and had to be silenced. Some, however, rejected the theory. They noted that the legal case had been running since 2018, adding that when someone commits a crime, they need to do time. Others called for the prosecution of everyone involved in state capture.

User @Nkosinathi Ndlovu asked:

"The case has been going on for eight years, and you call that moving fast? Kanti, how long was it supposed to take, 59 years before he could get sentenced?"

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User @Adnaan Isaacs commented:

"He is an outspoken critic of colonisers all over the world, especially in a certain area of the ME. But I'm sure that's got nothing to do with it."

User @Rudolf Munhazu shared:

"His behaviour on the day of the crime was childish. It fell in line with their grand scheme of things."

User @Chasam Mabitla said:

"I'm not a Julius Malema fan or whatsoever, but I agree, the Guptas' case must be reopened."

User @Malvin Rens added:

"Yoh, Pieter, you are so on point. Your views are progressive, and you want to see the advancement of the African economic power."

User @Hope Sky shared:

"It's not about a rifle; he's a threat to the West."

User @Sîr Donald Lahm Mampuru commented:

"Prison is their best tool to neutralise him."

3 Briefly News articles about Pieter Kriel

• South African human rights activist Pieter Kriel shared a video documenting his strenuous climb up the Great Wall of China, joking that he wasn’t warned about the 90-degree angle.
• Local political activist, known for his outspoken views on racial inequality, shared a heartfelt video from his visit to Palestine, bonding with little children.
• Pieter Kriel called the unity displayed during rugby matches a mask of real issues, saying once the match finishes, people return to their unequal realities.

Source: Briefly News