Defence lawyer in Malema firearm discharge case suggests video may have been manipulated using AI
EFF leader Julius Malema and his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, face several charges relating to discharging a firearm in public during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, in 2018.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema appears at the East London Magistrates Court alongside Adriaan Snyman on Monday, 21 July 2025. Picture: X/@EFFSouthAfrica
JOHANNESBURG - Judgment has been reserved in the case against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman.
The pair appeared before the East London Magistrates Court on Monday, where the defence and the State made final arguments.
The two face several charges relating to discharging a firearm in public during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, in 2018.
During proceedings on Monday, a defence lawyer suggested that a video showing Malema firing an automatic rifle into the air may have been manipulated using artificial intelligence.
Shortly after the EFF’s rally, a video surfaced online showing Snyman handing Malema an automatic rifle, which the EFF leader excitedly fires into the air.
At the heart of this case is whether that video is authentic.
Advocate Shane Matthews, who is representing the bodyguard, said manipulation of the video through AI could not be ruled out.
"It is so easy for these types of videos to be manufactured and put on social media. I am not saying that this one was done like that, but what I am saying is before a court of law can rely on something like this, this is not an original video we are seeing, it’s a video that’s downloaded on social media."
Matthews said the State had not been able to verify the video by securing the person who initially took it.