Trial date set for Julius Malema's firearm discharge case

• The trial date has been set in the court case of EFF leader Julius Malema and his co-accused Adriaan Snyman.
• Malema faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and three counts of contravening the Firearms Control Act.
• The charges stem from a 2018 incident in which Malema was captured on camera using what appeared to be an automatic assault rifle at an EFF event.

The trial date has been set in the court case of EFF leader Julius Malema and his co-accused Adriaan Snyman.

Malema faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and three counts of contravening the Firearms Control Act.

Snyman faces one count of contravening the Firearms Control Act.

The charges stem from a 2018 incident in which Malema was captured on camera using what appeared to be an automatic assault rifle during the EFF's fifth birthday celebrations in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape.

On Monday, Malema appeared before East London Regional Court Magistrate Twanette Olivier.

EFF leader Julius Malema briefly appeared at the East London Regional Court on Monday

News24 Malibongwe Dayimani

EFF leader Julius Malema briefly appeared at the East London Regional Court on Monday

News24 Malibongwe Dayimani

Olivier set the trial for 23 to 27 August 2021.

The alleged incident happened at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.

EFF members, including EFF spokesperson Vuyani Pambo, secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, Eastern Cape EFF chairman Yazini Tetyana and several other leaders, were in court to show support for Malema and raised concern about postponements in the case.

Speaking to journalists outside the court, Pambo said: 

The National Prosecuting Authority could not be reached immediately to respond to Pambo's statement. Their comment will be added once received.

Asked for comment, a smiling Snyman said "no comment".

Malema also declined to comment and angrily snapped at News24, accusing the reporter of "pushing" him. This happened as the politician was approaching the exit of the court building, before he was whisked away in a black SUV.

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