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A 4th witness took the stand in the East London Magistrate's Court this morning in the ongoing firearms trial involving EFF leader Julius Malema and his co-accused bodyguard Adriaan Snyman.
Malema and Snyman face charges of contravening the Firearms Control Act for allegedly firing an automatic weapon during the EFF's 5th-anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosikho Mzuku, who was a communications officer in Mdantsane at the time, told the court that he was one of the officers who opened an inquiry after receiving media reports of the shooting incident at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
He testified that he had received the video shown in court and that he sees Malema firing what appears to be a rifle, and then handing it to Snyman.
Advocate Laurence Hodes, for the defence, objected to this testimony, arguing that the handover of the supposed weapon is not visible in the video.
Court was adjourned shortly thereafter, and the matter was then postponed to run from the 11th to the 14th of September for the continuation of evidence.
In the years leading up to the trial, Malema's legal team argued that the gun used in the video was a toy.
Malema is facing five charges which include the illegal possession of a firearm, contravention of the Firearms Control Act, the illegal possession of ammunition and reckless endangerment to persons or property.
Snyman is facing a single charge for Contravening the Firearms Control Act.
Both pleaded not guilty.
