It looked like a gun, sounded like a gun, shot like a gun, but was it a gun?
The national police are investigating EFF leader Julius Malema for discharging what appears to be an automatic rifle at the party's fifth birthday celebrations in Mdantsane last Saturday. A video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the EFF leader taking what appears to be a firearm from a security officer before firing it into the sky at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
The “gun” shots happened in the presence of about 30 police officers.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo on Wednesday said the police were investigating the incident.
“I can confirm that the SAPS registered a case of discharging of a firearm in a built-up area.
“The due processes will follow,” said Naidoo.
According to the Firearms Control Act, it is an offence to discharge a firearm, an antique firearm or an air gun in a built-up area or any public place, without good reason to do so.
Naidoo would not say when they became aware of the incident or who had opened the case.
However, EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said what Malema had discharged was in fact a simulator.
“It is not a real firearm and no real bullets were shot. It was a simulation, part of our entire act of celebrating the fifth anniversary. It coincided with the singing of the struggle songs and fireworks,” said Ndlozi.
The video was shot from the main stage, likely by a national EFF leader.
Also seen in the video is EFF national chairperson Dali Mpofu, who is seen smiling and in a jovial mood...