Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has been found guilty of contravening the Firearms Control Act after firing a gun at a public rally.
The judgment was delivered in the East London Magistrate’s Court following a protracted trial centred on a dramatic incident at a political rally back in 2018. The court found that the evidence presented left no reasonable doubt as to his guilt.
The conviction stems from the EFF’s fifth-anniversary festivities, held at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane. Viral video footage from the day showed Malema being handed what appeared to be a rifle by his then-bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, before allegedly discharging the weapon into the air before a crowd of supporters. This single act triggered a multi-year legal battle, with the state levelling a series of serious charges.
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EFF’s Julius Malema Found Guilty For Firing Gun At Public Event
Presiding Magistrate Twanet Olivier oversaw the case and delivered an exhaustive summary of the evidence before reaching her verdict. The defence team for Mr Malema had argued strenuously that the rifle in question was nothing more than a toy replica, a prop for the enthusiastic crowd. However, this claim was ultimately rejected by the court.
The visual evidence, coupled with witness testimonies, proved pivotal in shaping the outcome. In her address from the bench, Magistrate Olivier provided a detailed rationale for the finding.
Magistrate Olivier stated,
“The court, after a thorough consideration of all evidence placed before it, is satisfied that the state has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
She further addressed the integrity of the prosecution’s case, noting,
“We found no evidence to suggest that the testimony of the state witnesses was biased in any manner.” This remark underscored the court’s confidence in the evidence that led to the conviction.
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Co-Accused and the Charges They Faced
Julius Malema was not alone in the dock. His former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, stood as his co-accused throughout the proceedings. Mr Snyman faced charges relating to the unlawful provision of the firearm, sharing in the counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
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