Case against ANC politician over firearm negligence postponed again

The firearm case against a senior Eastern Cape ANC politician has been postponed pending the outcome of the decision of the director of public prosecutions on representations he made. Lusanda Sizani appeared briefly in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where the case was postponed to next Thursday. Sizani is charged with contravening the Firearms Control Act early in 2025 for alleged negligence and failure to safeguard a firearm after his personal 9mm gun went missing during a vehicle break-in in East London while it was parked in Oxford Street.

Sizani’s vehicle was being driven by his bodyguard, Thisha Zulu, who had left him at an ANC meeting at the East London ICC. The court heard on Wednesday that the director of public prosecutions had requested a report from the prosecutor that declined the representation made by Sizani. The state and Sizani’s representative agreed to postpone the case pending the outcome.

Senior ANC leaders in the Chris Hani region, including Dr AB Xuma mayor Siyabulela Zangqa and Enoch Mgijima mayor Madoda Papiyana, came to support him at court. Sizani’s positions as the Chris Hani District mayor and the region’s ANC chair both hang in the balance amid the looming court case. The recommendation followed Sizani’s seventh appearance in court on January 28.

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The matter is now before the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC)for a final decision. Outside court, Papiyana said they were disappointed with the postponement.

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