Snag in Malema firearm discharge matter as magistrate calls in sick

EFF leader Julius Malema will have to wait a while longer to find out the fate of his case. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers.

EFF leader Julius Malema will have to wait a while longer to find out the fate of his case. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers.

Published 13h ago

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Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, will have to wait a little while to find out what happens next in his alleged firearm discharge case, this after proceedings were postponed on Friday, due to the judge's ill health.

Malema and security guard, Adriaan Snyman, face a range of charges including the unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and discharge of a firearm.

These charges stem from claims that Malema allegedly fired a gun at an EFF rally in Mdantsane in 2018. The gun is believe to belong to a company where Snyman is the director.

The matter was postponed to November for closing arguments, however, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, Magistrate Twanet Olivier postponed the matter in chambers in the absence of the accused persons and the defence.

Tyali explained that the defence led the evidence of two expert witnesses, in firearms control and forensic ballistics, for Snyman. Malema took the stand in his defence.

“All the witnesses were cross-examined by Advocate Joel Cesar, for the State, after which the matter was postponed for all parties to submit written heads of arguments before the next court appearance,” Tyali said.

A new date has yet to be set.

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