More Nutty Political News

Julius Malema. Remember the name.

It seems as if any ridiculous news story about South Africa right now that isn't about Jacob Zuma and his various families ... is about Julius Malema, leader of the African National Congress Youth League.

We will get back to the pitch quite soon, but in the meantime, let's get back up to date on the antics -- and, surprisingly, the trouble -- pertaining to Julius Malema.

The latest:

Malema has been fined by a judge for suggesting that a woman who accused Zuma of rape (the president was acquited) "had a nice" time. In this story, a columnist for the Johannesburg Times hammers Young Julius pretty hard, suggesting he merely represents a way of thinking that is common among men in the country.

And that isn't the only court problem one of the ANC's rising stars has. He is still at risk of censure or fine (prison: I don't think so) for singing that old resistance favorite "kill the Boer" at a rally at a university in Johannesburg.

Unfortunately, for Young Julius, over the weekend one white farmer was shot and killed, two others were shot but survived, but the wife of one of them was shot and killed.

Meanwhile, AfriForum Youth have lodged a complaint of hate speech ... as has the Freedom Front Plus party.

In this story, an opposition leader suggests that Malema is creating an atmosphere where "reckless thoughts and actions flourish" and he is an "accessory to the wiping out of farmers in South Africa."

The Freedom Front Plus party is preparing a report to send to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Which could lead to Malema being charged at an international court.

Anyway, that's what is going on in South Africa with less than three months until kickoff. We assume that if chief World Cup organizer Danny Jordaan had his way, Julius Malema would be under a gag order until the last group of SA2010 visitors is safely out of South African airspace, come mid-July.