Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema is set to return to the East London Regional Court on 9 December 2024 for closing arguments in his firearm discharge case.
The matter was postponed in November as the presiding officer was ill.
JULIUS MALEMA RETURNS TO EAST LONDON COURT
As previously reported, in a video that was widely circulated on social media, EFF leaders could be seen dancing and singing on the stage and then Malema allegedly is seen firing the rifle into the air before he hands it over to his bodyguard Adriaan Snyman. Thereafter, Malema gives EFF then-chairman Dali Mpofu a high five.
Roughly one month after the shooting incident, Malema denied ever having discharged a firearm. Having an explanation for video footage, he said the sounds of gunshots happened to coincide with fireworks. Malema and Snyman have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Malema and security company director Adriaan Snyman are charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, failure to take reasonable precaution to person or property, and reckless endangerment to person or property.
The firearm that Malema allegedly fired at an EFF rally in Mdantsane in 2018 belongs to a company where Synman is the director.
On 1 November, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the matter had been due in court for the state and defence to present closing arguments after the defence closed its case.
NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said in 2023, the prosecution closed its case, having led the evidence of 19 witnesses. Malema and Snyman subsequently made an application for a discharge, according to Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which the court dismissed.
“From 18 June 2024, the defence led the evidence of two expert witnesses, in firearms control and forensic ballistics, for Snyman. Malema took the stand in his defence.
“All the witnesses were cross-examined by Advocate Joel Cesar for the state, after which the matter was postponed for all parties to submit written heads of arguments before the next court appearance,” he explained.
DO YOU THINK JULIUS MALEMA FIRED A REAL FIREARM DURING THE EFF’S FIFTH YEAR CELEBRATION?
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