[ad_1]
EFF leader Julius Malema in a previous appearance at Randburg Magistrates Court.
Sharon Seretlo, Gallo Images
- EFF leader Julius Malema and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi have pleaded not guilty to a common assault charge.
- They are charged with assaulting Lt. Col. Johannes Jacobus Venter at Fourways Memorial Park at the funeral of hardcore fighter Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
- Venter has taken the witness stand.
EFF leader Julius Malema and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi have pleaded not guilty to a common battery charge in connection with an incident that occurred at the funeral of fighting icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 2018.
The two are on trial in Randburg Magistrates Court and are charged with assaulting the police officer, Lt. Col. Johannes Jacobus Venter, at the funeral at around 3:40 p.m. on April 14, 2018 in Fourways Memorial Park . News24 previously reported that the incident was caught on CCTV.
Following pressure from the AfriForum lobby, the National Tax Authority decided to prosecute.
Malema and Ndlozi claimed that the police tried to prevent them from entering the area to say goodbye to the fighting icon.
Venter, who is attached to the Presidential Unit, took the witness stand on Wednesday. He has been a part of the police force for over 30 years and has been in the unit for six years.
He told the court that several people were unable to enter the premises on the day of the funeral.
The people included a woman who claimed to be from England and wanted to visit her grandparents’ grave, a Limpopo man who also wanted to visit the grave of a relative, and the occupants of a black van.
SEE | Malema denies he and Ndlozi assaulted a police officer at Mama Winnie’s funeral
Women who were in possession of an accreditation also could not enter until the family of the deceased arrived.
At around 3:40 p.m., a convoy, including Presidential officials and members of the government, arrived, led by an army caravan, along with the hearse.
SEE | Here are the pictures showing Malema and Ndlozi ‘lied’ about the ‘assault’ on a police officer – AfriForum
Then, the witness said, a black Mercedes Vito arrived, but there was no visible permit to the left of the windshield.
“I stopped the vehicle and went to the driver’s side. The driver greeted me. No [recognise the driver].
“The driver reported [me] that the leader of the EFF, mainly, Mr. Malema was inside the vehicle. I looked and saw that it was inside. I greeted Mr. Malema. ”
Venter tells the court that he stopped Malema’s vehicle because the main convoy, which included Madikizela-Mandela’s family, the Presidency, and other government officials, had already entered the cemetery and they were told that no other was allowed. .#JuliusMalema @ TeamNews24
– Sesona Sestien Ngqakamba (@Sesona_Ngqaks) October 28, 2020
Venter tells the court that Malema and Ndlozi had badges around their necks but did not see a visible permit on their vehicle and adds that even if he had, he would have stopped him because the convoy was already inside the cemetery. @ TeamNews24 #JuliusMalema
– Sesona Sestien Ngqakamba (@Sesona_Ngqaks) October 28, 2020
Venter told the court that he informed Malema that the vehicle could not enter, but that they were more than welcome to walk along with other guests who had arrived by bus.
“Mr. Malema said he will not enter, he will enter.
“While I was standing in front of the vehicle, they pushed me from the right side. I can’t say who pushed me.”
Suddenly, Malema jumped out of the vehicle and said, “No white man will stop me!”
He said he was then pushed to the left of the vehicle, but he couldn’t see who pushed him.
SEE | ‘Police are pressured every day,’ Malema says as assault trial postponed
At one point, Malema and Ndlozi pushed him too, he said.
“While standing in the front of the vehicle, I was pushed by Mr. Malema and Ndlozi,” he testified.
The second push was so strong that he lost his balance, the court heard.
A Zulu general warned him to avoid the altercation, he said.
Malema and Ndlozi proceeded to enter without permission, Venter testified.
The trial continues.
Did you know that you can comment on this article? Subscribe to News24 and add your voice to the conversation.
[ad_2]
