BREAKING | Julius Malema Found Guilty Of Firearms Act Violation In East London Court

EFF leader Julius Malema has been convicted by the East London Magistrate’s Court for contravening the Firearms Control Act. The ruling follows years of legal proceedings stemming from an incident at the party’s fifth birthday celebrations in Mdatsane in 2018.

Malema and his bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, faced charges of discharging a firearm and unlawful possession. Both pleaded not guilty, with Malema insisting the weapon was a toy. Ultimately, Malema was found guilty on five counts, while Snyman was acquitted on two charges.

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The judgment, delivered by Magistrate Twanet Olivier over three days, noted that video footage of the incident was not the primary basis of the conviction, as witness testimony proved sufficient.

The matter has been postponed to 23 January for presentencing reports, with Malema’s bail extended. Olivier cautioned that sentencing might not proceed on that date if the defence decides to call further witnesses.

Julius Malema’s Defence Challenges Evidence

Malema’s lawyer, Advocate Shane Matthews, argued that the state had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Snyman handed Malema a firearm. He criticised the state’s reliance on a video sourced from social media rather than testimony from attendees.

“There were at least 20 000 to 30 000 people present on the scene, who had come for the celebration… not one person came forward to lay a complaint about what had happened,” Matthews said.

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He added that police initiated the case after obtaining the video, serving as complainants themselves. Matthews further noted that no witness testified to seeing Snyman hand over a loaded gun that endangered the public.

State Relies on Cartridge and Witness Testimony

Prosecutor Advocate Joel Cesar countered that the video was supported by credible witness accounts. He pointed to crucial evidence: a bullet cartridge found by a municipal worker at the stadium two days after the event, later linked to a firearm owned by Snyman’s company.

“Your worship, this is just a normal, ordinary person who was performing her duties on the day in question. She has no interest in this particular matter,” Cesar argued, maintaining that the evidence presented was solid and consistent.

In 2023, Malema’s attempt to have the case dismissed was rejected. The ruling sparked strong criticism from the EFF, which accused the magistrate of corruption and bias. Malema dismissed calls for an apology, saying: “They will get it in hell.”

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