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JOHANNESBURG – Members of the EFF have demonstrated in large numbers to support Julius Malema and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at court.
The couple faces charges of assaulting a police officer at Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral in 2018.
The judicial process began on Wednesday, and the state argued that both Malema and deputy Mbuyiseni Ndlozi acted with a common purpose by attacking police colonel Johan Venter.
Both Malema and Ndlozi have pleaded not guilty to the common assault charge.
WATCH: EFF’s Malema and Ndlozi return to court
Venter detailed his version of the events of the alleged assault. He said Malema’s vehicle did not have a visible permit allowing him to enter the cemetery before the funeral.
He said he approached the driver and was informed that the occupant is Malema. Venter said the vehicle drove inside the cemetery even though none of the police officers gave him permission to do so.
Venter said his instructions were only to allow immediate family members and the president into the cemetery and that the rest of the mourners will follow the procedures from the giant screens in the stadium.
Venter said Malema said that no white man would prevent him from entering the cemetery.
He claimed that Ndlozi and Malema pushed him several times.
Venter admitted that both Malema and Ndlozi had personal permits hanging from their necks, but insisted that he did not see a permit on his vehicle.
The defense team began questioning Venter, pointing to contradictions between his testimony and the initial affidavit.
Venter testified that Malema and Ndlozi were not given permission to enter the cemetery. However, their April 2018 statement suggests they were given permission.
