Julius Malema stays in dock as the East London Magistrate’s Court continues reviewing evidence in his high-profile firearm case. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader and his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, face charges under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. The case relates to the EFF’s fifth birthday rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.
Video footage presented in court shows Snyman handing Malema a rifle. Malema then allegedly fired shots into the air before thousands of supporters. The matter was opened after lobby group AfriForum laid charges. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
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Julius Malema Stays in Dock as Magistrate Reviews Years of Evidence
On 29 September 2025, Magistrate Twanet Olivier spent hours reading through years of testimony and cross-examination. She said she could not skip any portion of the record, emphasising transparency. Olivier explained: “I need to repeat evidence and certain aspects in cross-examination… So I cannot skip any portion.”
However, illness delayed proceedings. Olivier, speaking with a hoarse voice, postponed the final verdict to 30 September, saying the review would “take very long” but was essential to show how the court reached its decision.
Prosecution Argues Public Endangerment
The State insists Malema unlawfully discharged a firearm in a public place, endangering lives. Prosecutor Advocate Joel Cesar argued that shots fired at the 2018 rally endangered thousands of supporters. He also told the court that Malema’s version of events contained “discrepancies.”
Earlier, it was noted that the State presented expert testimony suggesting at least 14 to 15 handgun shots and seven rifle shots were fired at the rally. A cartridge recovered near the stage allegedly matched a rifle issued to a security guard working with the EFF.
Defence Disputes the Evidence
Malema and Snyman’s defence argued that the gun in question was a prop rifle firing blanks. They stressed that no witness ever confirmed hearing live rounds. Malema himself told the court: “My DNA is not found on that weapon… I must come to this court and answer for weapons that cannot be brought anywhere close to me.”
In closing arguments earlier this year, Malema’s lawyer suggested the video may have been manipulated. Advocate Shane Matthews said: “It is so easy for these types of videos to be manufactured… This is not an original video we are seeing, it’s a video downloaded on social media.”
Possible Sentencing Outcomes
If convicted, the sentencing implications remain serious. Legal expert Ulrich Roux said that illegally discharging a semi-automatic firearm in public could carry a 15-year minimum sentence for unlawful possession.
However, Roux clarified that the rifle in this case is not a semi-automatic weapon, which means no minimum sentence applies. He added: “Most likely, he would be sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, whilst a portion of that sentence could be suspended.”
Sentencing would depend on whether the court finds that lives were directly endangered. In that scenario, harsher penalties could follow.
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The Firearms Control Act Explained
The Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 explicitly prohibits discharging a firearm in a built-up area or public place without good reason. According to the Act, offenders may face both fines and prison terms, depending on the circumstances.
This law underpins the charges against Malema and Snyman. The court must decide whether the rifle was a real firearm, whether the shots were live, and whether public safety was compromised.
Political Stakes and Public Attention
The trial has kept Malema in the spotlight, with EFF supporters filling the courtroom. EFF deputy president Marshall Dlamini told crowds outside the court that the matter “needed to be finalised.”
For Malema, the stakes are political as well as legal. A conviction could undermine his credibility as EFF leader. Yet his supporters see the case as politically motivated, while civil society groups like AfriForum argue it reflects the need for equal application of the law.
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As Julius Malema stays in the dock awaiting judgment, the case highlights the intersection of law, politics, and public safety. The court’s decision will not only determine Malema’s legal fate but may also shape the broader narrative around accountability in South African politics.
