Johannesburg – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema is expected to take the stand in a Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Thursday to tell his version of events relating to an assault at the funeral of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 2018.
Malema and fellow EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi are charged with common assault for allegedly pushing a police officer who claims he was trying to prevent them from entering the cemetery where Madikizela-Mandela was laid to rest.
The pair has denied this.
Malema’s lawyer, Laurence Hodes, has poked holes in Colonel Johannes Venter’s argument asking why he obstructed Malema from entering the cemetery if there was no official list of who should attend.
“This must have been the most ineffective presidential protection service I have ever heard of, it’s a joke. Which one is it? Either you’re allowed to let them in and you apologise or if there is a misunderstanding.”
Venter said the vehicle was not part of the convoy.
On Thursday, Malema and Ndlozi will take the stand where they will clarify why they have pleaded not guilty when there is video footage showing them charging towards Venter.
Malema has accused the African National Congress (ANC) of being behind this case: “It was an appointment which was arranged by the ANC and I will make it to that appointment, because we are not cowards. We must never be cowards.”
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