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The trial of EFF leader, Julius Malema, for allegedly firing an automatic weapon at his party’s 5th-anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane, will get underway on Tuesday in the East London Regional Court.
The matter was due to start on Monday but was postponed following the “sudden resignation” of Advocate Elna Smit, who had been handling the matter since 2018.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said State Advocate Joel Cesar was appointed to the case and needed more time to prepare.
“Malema is facing charges of the unlawful possession of a firearm, the unlawful possession of ammunition, the discharge of a firearm in a built-up area and failure to take reasonable precaution to person or property and reckless endangerment to person or property,” he said.
Tyali said he is charged along with security company director Adriaan Snyman who is facing one charge of contravening the Firearm Control Act.
The Economic Freedom Fighters used social media to promote the #EFFvsAfriforum, which had been pressuring authorities to charge Malema for the 2018 incident.
EFF national spokesperson, Sinawo Tambo, said they will not be bringing in large numbers of supporters to the court, as has been seen during other court appearances.
He said in an interview that members have taken it upon themselves to come and support the “Commander In Chief against the political witch-hunt” that he said was being undertaken.
Tambo said their focus was on growing the party’s support to 1 million members by the end of 2022
Afriforum’s Ernst Roets expressed concern at the delay after four years but said their legal team will monitor the case which has been set down for the rest of the week.
