Social worker pleads leniency on Malema as he is a first-time offender
The East London Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case of Economic Freedom Fighter Julius Malema to the 15th of April for closing arguments.
Malema was convicted last year on five counts of contravening the Firearms Control Act related to the discharge of an automatic weapon in public during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018.
During the pre-sentencing, social worker Jesse -Ann Thomspon presented arguments stating why the court should be lenient to him after being found guilty in his firearm discharge case.
Thompson said Malema is a first-time offender and has not been implicated in any criminal conduct.
She also told the court that Malema is a financial provider for his family.
“The accused is the main financial provider for his family, therefore, a custodial sentence would directly threaten the family’s financial security.”
Thompson told the court that Malema had no intentions to use the firearm for any other offences other than for the celebratory shots he fired.
“ When I look at this compared to the other cases of a more serious nature, there were no, I couldn’t find any intent, that the weapon was used with the aim of committing any other offences.”
“It was specifically for the purpose of the celebratory shots. It was in this position for a very, very short period of time, making it very distinguishable from all the other cases where a period of imprisonment would be imposed.” Thompson said.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Olivier said the fact that no one was harmed, the offence must not be minimised.
“The danger lies in the risk created.
“The absence of injury does not remove the unlawful nature of the conduct or the potential for catastrophic consequences.
The case has been postponed to the 15th of April.
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