Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has laid charges against EFF leader Julius Malema at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria.
Gordhan told the media shortly after laying the charges the determined defence of corruption and the corrupt, using personal attacks, racism and alleged hate speech is not acceptable and must be challenged.
This follows after defamatory comments and allegations were made by Malema against Gordhan outside the State Capture Commission last week.
Malema allegedly called Gordhan a dog and also accused his daughter of benefiting from government tenders worth millions of rand.
The ministry said Gordhan has asked the court to determine whether Malema's utterances constitute hate speech, and is demanding an unconditional apology and damages of R150,000 from Malema and EFF deputy leader Shivambu.
Gordhan said if his claim is successful, he would donate the money to a charity that supports job creation for the youth.
He has asked the police to determine whether it amounted to incitement to violence and also laid a charge of criminal defamation.
Malema and the EFF last week repeatedly made allegations that Gordhan's daughter had done business with the state. The attack came while the minister was testifying before the Zondo commission of inquiry on state capture. Malema went as far as calling the minister a "dog" in service of white-owned businesses.
Gordhan has refuted the allegations against his daughter Anisha, but the EFF repeated its claims at the weekend.
Malema took to Twitter to respond:
