Parliament
Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, has been cleared of a charge of common assault, following his successful application for the court not to prosecute him.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the application was made at the close of the state’s case.
NPA Western Cape spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, says Magistrate Lindiwe Gura rejected the evidence of the complainant, Media 24 photographer, Adrian de Kock, and that of witnesses, saying they were contradictory.
She added that one of the witnesses even tailored his evidence to suit the state’s case.
Shivambu was charged with common assault following an incident at the Parliamentary precinct on 20 March 2018.
Media24 photographer Adrian de Kock laid the charge following an altercation with Shivambu after he had taken a picture of the EFF deputy president who said he did not have his permission to do so.
De Kock refused and claimed that Shivambu and two unidentified men attacked him.
"After a protracted trial, the defence applied for a Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act and the court granted it. The NPA accepts the decision of the court," Ntabazalila said.
