Firebrand opposition leader could be jailed

A social worker has said that imprisonment would leave a ‘void’ in the communities served by firebrand South African opposition leader Julius Malema, who has expressed regret for firing a gun at the party’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018. Malema was found guilty by Magistrate Twanet Olivier in October on firearm charges that stem from the festivities at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in 2018, reports News24. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, who was convicted of five charges, appeared for a pre-sentencing hearing in East London Regional Court on Friday. AfriForum approached the police after a video showing Malema firing several shots from a rifle went viral. Malema was charged with his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, but Olivier was acquitted. Malema, who maintained throughout the trial that he used a replica firearm, has since bolstered his legal team with Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, SC. The heavily guarded courtroom was packed with the leadership of the party, including the EFF’s allied parties from countries such as Namibia and eSwatini. Taking to the witness stand was Jessie Thompson, a social worker in private practice. She said she had done a thorough assessment of Malema’s personal and social circumstances, finding that he was the sole financial provider for his family as his wife was a stay-at-home mother. 'Should the accused receive a custodial sentence exceeding 12 months without an option of a fine, he will be rendered ineligible to serve as a member of the National Assembly, thereby restricting his ability to represent his constituency.’ The matter was postponed to 15 April.