[ad_1]
The joint assault case against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was postponed to October 28 and 29 after their trial began Tuesday in Randburg Magistrates Court.
Court proceedings were delayed after the court rejected a request made by the media to cover the case; however, coverage would be considered on the second day of the trial.
Malema argued that the proceedings should be recorded on camera.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Malema and Ndlozi return to the dock as the police assault trial begins
“They [court proceedings] everyone should be covered, we want to make them famous, everyone should be covered here, ”Malema said.
“It is not only us who should be covered here, the magistrate cannot say that there are no cameras in today’s process because it is a white man who gives evidence.
“So when it’s our turn and then she’ll probably let the cameras get involved inside [the courtroom]. We do not go to [allow] that. So we should all be treated the same here, ”he said.
#EFF | Court proceedings have been delayed after a media request to cover this morning process was denied only to be considered for day 2 of the trial. Red beret leader Julius Malema calls for equitable coverage on both days pic.twitter.com/6kW5jeJgx5
– Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) October 13, 2020
The latest postponement comes after the Malema and Ndlozi case had experienced a series of delays in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as it was postponed in June and September.
Lobbyist AfriForum, which has been trying to reach out to prosecuted EFF officials, said it would return to court when the trial begins after the organization’s head of policy and action, Ernest Roets, appeared at the cut on Tuesday.
Roets said out of court that he believed Malema was “above the law” and held accountable for his actions.
READ MORE: If I had put my hand on him, I would have ‘hit’ him – Malema denies having attacked the policeman
“Julius Malema probably more than anyone is acting as if he is above the law and the way the criminal justice system has or has not treated him, if possible, reinforces that perception that he can do what want, ”Roets said.
“He can attack people in the street, he can shoot live ammunition at a rally, he can foment violence and nothing happens for him.”
Roets added that he hoped Malema would be prosecuted and sent a message to the public that no one was above the law.
.@ErnstRoets comments about him #JuliusMalema assault case. #Malema believes it is above the law. #AfriForum He will return to court on October 28 and 29 to ensure that he is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. @afriforum pic.twitter.com/kjrjvY14yP
– Monique Taute (@monique_taute) October 13, 2020
For more news your way, download The Citizen app to ios Y Android.
[ad_2]
