Johannesburg – Colonel Johan Venter has taken the stand at the Randburg Magistrates Court on Thursday.
EFF leaders Julius Malema and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi are charged with the alleged assault of a police officer at the funeral of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 2018.
Venter has been grilled on his version of events, using CCTV footage of the incident to establish a detailed timeline of events.
According to legal expert Ulrich Roux the state will have to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the crime was committed in comparison with the defense team who will only need to prove their version is reasonably and possibly true.
Roux said the courts would evaluate whether the actions of Malema and Ndlozi were reasonable and justified under the circumstances.
Some have cast this case as racially motivated.
ATM leader Mzwanele Manyi attended proceedings.
“I think it is important that we don’t become superficial about this issue. It’s very deep. In fact, this is the legacy of apartheid interfering in democracy,” said Manyi.
“It’s very important that everybody who understands the context of South Africa must be able to see this case for what it is.”
Members of the EFF also gathered outside the court in support of their leaders.
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