EXPLAINER : This is why the EFF gun trial seems to be 'dragging on'
Julius Malema and his former bodyguard Adriaan Snyman faced yet another delay as their firearm trial verdict was postponed on Tuesday.
Why the delay
The East London Magistrate’s Court ran out of time once more, resulting in the pair having to wait for a verdict another day. The trial has now entered into its third day, with a judgement set to resume on Wednesday.
Judicial process
Magistrate Twanet Olivier has been meticulously working through a lengthy list of evidence, spending a significant portion of Tuesday revisiting the case put forth by the state and the corresponding rebuttals from the defence.
Duties of the court
Olivier emphasised that it is the court’s obligation to explain thoroughly how it arrives at its ruling, contributing to the extended length of the proceedings.
The charges
The allegations against Malema and Snyman stem from an incident at the EFF’s fifth birthday rally in Mdantsane in 2018, where video footage allegedly captured Snyman handing a rifle to Malema, who reportedly fired it into the air amidst a packed stadium audience.
Denial of charges
Both individuals, who are currently out on bail, deny all charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, reckless endangerment, and violating the Firearms Control Act. Malema has publicly labelled the case as a political witch-hunt.
Judgment continues on Wednesday.
IOL News