Malema’s bodyguard calls on gun expert as first witness in duo’s firearm discharge trial
Julius Malema and Adriaan Snyman face charges that include unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and contravening the Firearms Control Act.
Julius Malema (L) and his bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman (C), in the East London Magistrates Court on 18 June 2024 for their joint firearm discharge trial. Picture: X/EFFSouthAfrica
JOHANNESBURG - Julius Malema’s bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, called lawyer and firearm expert, Martin Hood, as his first witness in their firearm discharge trial in the East London Magistrate's Court.
Malema and Snyman are facing charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and contravening the Firearms Control Act.
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This in connection with allegations that Malema fired a live weapon at a rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.
The State has now closed its case and the defence kicked off on Tuesday.
Malema and Snyman are represented by different legal teams and Snyman’s is presenting their case first.
They’ve called on the well-known firearm expert and lobbyist lawyer as their first witness.
The defence maintains that the supposed firearm was, in fact, not real.
On the stand on Tuesday, Hood said even he couldn’t tell the difference between a real firearm and what he described as a "blank firing object".
“They’re, in fact, designed both in terms of appearance and their mechanical working abilities to be exactly the same as a real licensable firearm.”
The case continues.