EFF statement on stayed warrant of arrest against Julius Malema
24 February 2020
The EFF notes the sensationalist reports that a warrant of arrest has been issued for the arrest of the CIC and President Julius Malema. We note these not only as harmful as they seek to present the CIC as a fugitive, but also as opportunistic by a media that is desperate for a negative story on the CIC and EFF.
We further note that the warrant has been held over until a date of trial has been set by the Magistrate court which is standard legal procedure.
In the previous appearance, the CIC was excused from appearing in the East London Court until the trial starts through the agreement of the Magistrate and the prosecutor. It is law that when an accused does not appear in Court a warrant of arrest is authorized but held over.
That means that there is a warrant but it cannot be executed and the accused cannot be arrested until and unless the accused does not appear in court on the set day of trial when ordered to by the Court.