JOHANNESBURG — EFF leader Julius Malema has been charged following an early-morning statement in which he described, at length, his relationship with firearms. No weapon was recovered and no injury was reported, but prosecutors confirmed that charges relate to the discharge of a round into the surrounding air.
A senior party spokesperson said the leader had been “describing a hypothetical situation” and maintained that no firearm was present at any point during the address.
“We are satisfied that nothing was shot, with the possible exception of the air,” a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority said. “The matter will proceed on that basis.”
The EFF has indicated it will oppose the charges and has requested that the proceedings be heard in full. A date has not yet been set.
At press time, both parties were awaiting clarification on which foot, if any, the matter concerned.