EFF Leader, Malema Skips Mkhwebane's Impeachment Vote for Court Appearance on Firearm Charges

The Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, swapped an impeachment debate at Cape Town’s City Hall Parliament for a court appearance this week. His looming charges? Allegations around discharging a firearm in a public space. While Malema's spot in the impeachment debate regarding Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebana's fitness to hold office remained vacant, deputy party leader Floyd Shivambu was on call.

The alleged firearm incident occurred during the party's fifth-anniversary celebration at Mdantsane’s Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London, back in 2018. Malema and co-accused Adriaan Snyman are currently on trial at the East London Magistrates' Court over the incident. Magistrate Twanet Olivier heard the case. Civil rights organisation AfriForum, who lodged the complaint against the EFF leader in 2018 after the release of a questionable video, clashed with Malema once more.

The charges against Malema include Contravention of the Firearms Control Act for firing a rifle in public and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Snyman, on the other hand, is accused of providing the rifle to Malema at the event in question.

State witness Sgt. Dwayne Francis, told the court that he procured video footage of Malema’s incident and sealed it as forensic evidence. His 21-page report to the court details the research process and investigation. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in his testimony led to Malema's senior counsel, Laurence Hodes, questioning his credibility. The trial resumes on Tuesday.