Malema back in court on firearms related charges after pressure by AfriForum

30 January 2023 

Following continuous pressure by AfriForum, Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, and his bodyguard Adriaan Snyman, today again appeared in the East London Regional Court. AfriForum laid charges against Malema after a video emerged of Malema, appearing to discharge a rifle in public. The rifle was handed to Malema by Snyman.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is prosecuting Malema for the discharge of a firearm in a built-up or public area without good reason to do so, as well as the possession of a firearm and ammunition without the necessary licence and authorisation. The prosecution today opted to show the said video in court. Malema and Snyman’s defence attorneys however argued against this, saying that the validity of the video cannot be proven, nor can the source of the video be confirmed.

The state prosecutor Adv. Joel Cesar argued that two eyewitnesses who were present at the scene, have already testified that the events portrayed in the video did in fact take place.

Malema’s legal team requested a “trial within a trial” to determine whether the video evidence should be admitted.

Magistrate T. Olivier postponed the matter until Tuesday 31 January in order to reflect on the various arguments.

“AfriForum is satisfied with the fact that the case is continuing. It is a pity that this matter has been dragging on for as long as it has but we will continue to monitor the case very closely because politicians like Julius Malema are not above the law, even though they may seem to think so,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community Safety.

Issued by Chanté Kelder, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 30 January 2023