Julius Malema has fuelled rampant social media speculation after he was spotted consuming a “mystery” liquid in court.
The Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF ) leader appeared in the East London Magistrates Court on charges relating to a 2018 incident involving a firearm.
On Wednesday, 1 October, the controversial politician was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public place, reckless endangerment of people or property, and failing to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger.
MALEMA’S ‘MYSTERY’ DRINK FUELS ‘MUTHI’ RUMOURS
Earlier this week, Julius Malema was spotted drinking a brown-coloured drink out of a clear water bottle.
On social media, South Africans speculated on whether the beverage could be “muthi” or perhaps alcohol.
However, the rumours about Malema were quickly shut down by EFF MP Sixolise Gcilishe.
She posted on X: “Domkops don’t know that cans are not allowed in court, just like in parliament. So if you are going to drink Redbull or anything in a can, you pour it in something that is allowed. I know because I do that all the time for leaders”.
GUILTY – WHAT NEXT?
On Wednesday, 1 October, Julius Malema was found guilty of the Firearms Control Act
The EFF leader and his bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, were accused of discharging a firearm at the party’s fifth birthday celebrations in Mdatsane in 2018.
Malema – who faces up to 15 years imprisonment – was found guilty on five charges, while Snyman was found not guilty on two charges.
The party leader insisted that a viral video of the incident featured a toy gun and not a real firearm.
However, the state claimed that Malema had fired live rounds from a rifle after presenting evidence of a spent cartridge which matched the gun in question.
The case has been postponed to January 23 for pre-sentencing proceedings.
