A trial date has been set in East London for EFF leader Julius Malema to face charges of discharging a firearm in public.
“Malema and his co-accused, Adriaan Snyman, will appear in the East London Regional Court from 23 to 27 August 2021 on charges of contravening the Firearms Control Act,” NPA spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani said.
Malema allegedly fired an automatic rifle during the EFF’s fifth birthday celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.
Malema arrived at the East London Magistrate’s Court on Monday accompanied by EFF spokesperson Vuyani Pambo, EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, and a handful of EFF leaders from the Eastern Cape.
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He is facing charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area or public place and reckless endangerment of people or property.
His co-accused, Snyman, is facing one count of contravening the Firearms Control Act.
The charges were filed after a video clip circulated on social media.
In the video, Malema appears to be firing an automatic rifle in front of a crowd that attended the party’s rally.
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