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Malema's Firearm Discharge Trial Stalls, Resumes December Amid Health Concerns of Magistrate

Published November 03, 2024
3 months ago

The much-publicized gun discharge trial of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has met with yet another obstacle as health issues of the presiding magistrate result in a delay. Initially set for a critical phase where closing arguments were anticipated, the trial in the East London regional court has now been postponed to December 9.





Julius Malema, a prominent political figure known for his fiery rhetoric and staunch activism, along with Adriaan Snyman, director of a security company, faces a litany of charges. The grave list includes unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment to persons or property, which stem from a 2018 incident at an EFF rally in Mdantsane. During the event, Malema allegedly fired a weapon that is thought to be owned by the security company linked to Snyman.


The case has garnered significant attention, not just for the high-profile nature of the accused but also for the broader implications surrounding firearm control in South Africa. Thus far, the prosecution has made a robust case, presenting 19 witnesses in the confines of the courtroom to establish the circumstances of the purported incident.


Facing the gravity of the charges, both Malema and Snyman have mounted a vigorous defense. In a notable instance within the ongoing legal saga, they made a bid for discharge unsuccessfully—their application dismissed by the court, signaling a trial continuation fraught with legal contentions.


Throughout the proceedings since June, the defense has contributed to the narrative by bringing forward two expert witnesses. Specializing in firearms control and forensic ballistics, these experts have testified with insights likely aimed at undermining the prosecution's assertion that Malema handled a live firearm.


Malema himself, in a defiant display on the stand, has contended that the state's case is insufficient. He maintains that the prosecution has not concretely demonstrated his handling of a gun with live ammunition, arguably a focal point of the charges against him.


The delay, instigated by Magistrate Twanet Olivier's ill health, has entrenched uncertainty into the timing of the judicial process. With resumption now pegged for December, the overarching question lingers about what conclusions will be drawn when the court reconvenes and attorneys argue their final pieces.


This high-stakes legal showdown is an emblematic clash of law and politics at a juncture where public safety, legal precedence, and the personal fate of Julius Malema intersect in South African jurisprudence.


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