EFF leader Julius Malema.
Image: ALON SKUY/THE TIMES
EFF leader Julius Malema is trending on social media as Mzansi responds to news about his warrant of arrest, issued on Monday, after his failure to show up at the East London magistrate’s court.
Malema and his co-accused, security official Gerhardus Adriaan Snyman, allegedly discharged a firearm in public during an EFF rally in Mdantsane in 2018.
TimesLIVE reported last year that the National Prosecuting Authority said Malema was facing five charges which include illegal possession of a firearm and endangering people and properties.
His attorney, Wikus Steyl, said the state was aware of Malema’s absence as they had agreed in November 2019 that he would appear at the start of his trial. Steyl said this was to avoid the disruption of court proceedings by Malema’s supporters.
The warrant is stayed until Malema and Snyman appear in court on May 8.
Here’s a glimpse into social media responses, including one tagged “Andizi”, which means “I am not coming”.
https://twitter.com/kulanicool/status/1231873315557474304
No one is going to jail relaxđ
They failed to arrest crooked Bhushiri đđ#JuliusMalema pic.twitter.com/SY5twjwGUr— DR TSHEGO ABUTI T-MAN (@RALETMaN) February 24, 2020
Let us not insult & make irresponsible statements about the judiciary because it very dangerous to accuse the courts of biasness without evidence, It irresponsible & dangerous and it has lead to military coup in other nations, stop it, we must defend our democracy! #JuliusMalema
— Bandile (@Bandile_Shenge) February 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/iamjanzito77/status/1231871960726024192
#JuliusMalema If holding them by scrotum was a person đ đ đ pic.twitter.com/hxZBAxlSfk
— Msacrasđ (@Misacras) February 24, 2020
Malema was frothing, screaming and screeching in Parliament saying he is in charge, yet an arrest warrant is issued. How can one be in charge and still have an arrest warrant be issued against you. This man is just a joke and should NEVER be taken seriously #JuliusMalema
— Goolam (@goolammv) February 24, 2020
