Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is scheduled to return to court on Monday, 30 January 2023, for discharging a firearm at an EFF protest in 2018.
Jacques Broodryk, spokesperson for AfriForum Community Safety, stated that Malema’s court appearance tomorrow is the result of lobbying efforts.
In 2018, the civil rights organization AfriForum filed charges against Malema after a video surfaced showing him discharging a handgun in public at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
“On January 30, 2023, Julius Malema, the leader of the EFF, will reappear before the East London Regional Court in response to persistent pressure from AfriForum.”
Jacques Broodryk, on behalf of AFRIFORUM, exerted pressure to have Malema returned to court.
Broodryk stated, “The National Prosecuting Authority is prosecuting Malema for discharging a firearm in an urban or public area without justification, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition without the required license and authorization.”
The EFF was celebrating its fifth anniversary in East London on the day Malema discharged the weapon. On the stage, party leaders are seen singing and dancing in the film. Then Malema supposedly is seen discharging the rifle into the air before he turns it over to Adriaan Snyman. Malema then give’s EFF chairperson Dali Mpofu a high five.
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Malema is charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as three counts of violating the Firearms Control Act.
Snyman, Malema’s co-accused, is charged with one count of violating the Firearms Controls Act (the State alleges that he handed the firearm to Malema). Snyman is the owner of a security company and a member of Malema’s security squad.
»Malema is re-arrested for discharging a firearm«