Julius Malema returns to the East London Magistrate’s Court on Friday for pre-sentencing proceedings in his firearm case. The EFF leader wasconvictedon multiple firearm charges, including unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, and discharging a firearm in a public place. This followed footage showing Malema firing a rifle during the party’s fifth birthday celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.
In delivering the guilty verdict in October, magistrate Twanet Olivier said the court had rejected Malema’s version of events and found the state had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Malema, who pleaded not guilty, maintained the eight-year-old case against him was politically motivated and indicated he wouldappealany sentence imposed. His co-accused and former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, was acquitted.
Snyman had been accused of supplying the firearm to Malema, but the court found there was insufficient evidence to link him to any crime. Meanwhile, East London has been awash with EFF supporters who have travelled from across the country to attend the proceedings. A night vigil was held at the Orient Theatre on Thursday night ahead of the pre-sentencing hearing.
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EFF national spokespersonSinawo Thambo said it was a political attack. “We are not expecting anything from this racist [magistrate],” she said.
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