Julius Malema’s legal team has dismissed the state’s view that a fine would amount to the EFF leader buying his way out of a prison sentence in his firearm discharge case.
Malema is expected to appear at the East London Magistrate’s Court on Friday for a pre sentencing hearing, where arguments around an appropriate sentence are continuing to unfold.
The issue arose during the cross examination of a social worker who recommended that Malema receive a suspended fine rather than a custodial sentence. Prosecutor Joel Caeser challenged the recommendation, arguing that a fine would allow Malema to use his financial resources to avoid imprisonment.
Malema’s legal representative, advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, rejected that argument, maintaining that a fine is a lawful sentencing option provided for in legislation. He further questioned whether opposition to a fine was influenced by perceptions about Malema’s status in society.
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