Malema: SANDF report on Collins Khosa ‘a cover-up’

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and leader Julius Malema have been in close communication with the family of Collins Khosa, the 50-year-old man who was allegedly beaten to death by SANDF soldiers on 11 April when he was found in possession of an opened bottle of beer. 

Speaking at an EFF virtual press conference on Thursday 28 May, Malema said that the decision to clear the four accused soldiers of wrongdoing was “nonsensical” and that the report submitted on the matter “not worth the paper it was written on”. 

Malema working with family 

Malema said that his party had been actively involved in seeking justice for Khosa’s family, who have stated that they intend to take the matter to court and sue government for over R10 million.

“We have noted the tragedy of the death of Collins Khosa. Findings made by the Pretoria High Court have indicated that he was severely assaulted by the members the defence force,” he said. 

“Not many know that since his death, the EFF has been working closely with the family, and the legal team to ensure that justice is done and that no stone is left unturned.”

Malema said that the report filed by the SANDF constituted a “cover-up”. 

“We will continue on this journey, including challenging the blatant cover-up of the report of the Board of Inquiry released yesterday. That report is not worth the paper it is written on. It is replete with nonsensical findings, contradictions and evasions.”

He added that should it be necessary, the EFF would supplement the Khosa family’s court bid with one of their own. 

“We will continue supporting the Khosa family and the legal team to pursue a compensation claim against the government, and if our lawyers advise, join the case in our own name as EFF.” 

Report suggests Khosa died of unrelated injuries  

Malema referred to a report that was submitted on Wednesday by the SANDF after an internal probe into the soldier’s conduct, which insisted that Khosa’s death did not come as a result of injuries his family claimed he incurred at their hands.

In the report, they referred to the post-mortem, which found that Khosa did not die due to head trauma as was alleged by his family, who said that he was beaten over the head with the butt of a machine gun, later vomiting and experiencing severe concussion. 

The post-mortem on Khosa was disputed by several experts, who said that the investigation was not thorough and lacked crucial examination aspects. 

A police investigation into the matter is still ongoing.