Malema expected in court for a third day for judgment in firearms discharge case

It’s day three of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s appearance in the East London Magistrates Court, where he’s expected on Wednesday morning for judgment in his firearms discharge case.

The court is set to deliver its ruling after spending the past two days recapping evidence presented by witnesses during the trial.

ALSO READ: EFF's Malema set for third day in court as he awaits judgment in firearm discharge case

Malema is accused of contravening sections of the Firearms Control Act, including the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The case stems from a 2018 rally in Mdantsane, where the EFF leader allegedly fired shots into the air in front of thousands of supporters.

Over the past two days, presiding Magistrate Twanet Olivier went through the details of every witness testimony heard during the trial.

That process is now complete and she’s expected to deliver the court’s findings and judgment in Malema’s case.

While the lengthy judgment process frustrated some within the EFF, Olivier insisted that it was necessary to carefully reflect on all the evidence.

"Yesterday and today dealt with the summarising of the entire case, including all the exhibits and that consumed two days. What is left is the evaluation and the findings. I cannot see that it will be more than two and a half hours."

Malema maintains his innocence, insisting the firearm in question was a toy gun that contained no live rounds of ammunition.