Why the EFF Gun Trial Keeps Dragging On, And What’s Really Holding Up the Verdict

Why the EFF Gun Trial Keeps Dragging On, And What’s Really Holding Up the Verdict

South Africans hoping for closure in the high-profile EFF gun trial will have to wait a little longer. Once again, the verdict in the case involving Julius Malema and his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, has been postponed and understandably, many are asking: Why is this taking so long?

A Court Running Out of Time

The latest delay didn’t come down to new evidence or legal manoeuvring, the East London Magistrate’s Court simply ran out of time.

What was meant to be judgment day turned into yet another adjournment as Magistrate Twanet Olivier continued unpacking years’ worth of testimony, video footage, and legal arguments.

The trial, now in its third consecutive day of judgment proceedings, will resume again on Wednesday.

Why the Magistrate Is Taking Her Time

While some might see the delay as inefficiency, others argue it’s a sign of judicial thoroughness.

Magistrate Olivier has made it clear that the court has a duty not just to rule, but to explain how it arrived at that ruling. That means carefully revisiting both the state’s narrative and the defence’s counterarguments, point by point.

Given the political sensitivity of the case and the likelihood of an appeal no matter the outcome, a rushed verdict could create more problems than it solves.

The Charges at the Heart of the Case

The trial stems from an incident at the EFF’s fifth birthday rally in Mdantsane in 2018, where video footage allegedly shows Snyman handing a rifle to Malema, who then appears to fire it into the air as part of the celebrations.

Both men are facing serious charges, including:

• Unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition

• Reckless discharge of a firearm

• Contravention of the Firearms Control Act

Malema, however, insists the firearm was not real and has repeatedly dismissed the trial as a political witch-hunt.

Public Reaction: Frustration and Suspicion

Online, reactions have been split down predictable lines:

• EFF supporters argue the delay is further proof of selective prosecution against their leader.

• Critics, meanwhile, accuse Malema of stalling tactics, despite the fact that this particular delay came from the bench, not the defence.

• Some ordinary South Africans have simply expressed court fatigue, joking that even soapies move faster than our justice system.

So What Happens Next?

The judgment is set to continue Wednesday, though it’s unclear whether that will finally bring a verdict or yet another postponement.

Given the detailed approach taken so far, South Africans may need to brace for more waiting.

One thing is clear: whether Malema walks free or faces conviction, this ruling will be politically explosive.