By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has told the Randburg Magistrates Court that he and party leader, Julius Malema, have been subjected to humiliation for the last four years, referring to the assault case against them.
He said that when he received the first call from a detective on the matter, he thought they would be asked to apologise and explain what happened.
Ndlozi has taken to the stand at the Randburg Magistrates Court, testifying in the assault case against him and Malema brought by Lieutenant-Colonel Johannes Venter.
This matter relates to the 2018 funeral service of late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, where Venter opened a case against them.
The court has been listening to Ndlozi’s testimony since the matter resumed at 9am.
He told the court that during the incident between him, Malema and Venter at Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral, he felt violated and denied freedom of movement.
Ndlozi told the court that on their arrival at the cemetery, they were stopped by Venter, who denied them access. He said it was unclear why they were stopped and were only told that there was a problem with their credentials.
He told the court that Malema and one of the protectors exited the vehicle to talk to Venter, but he did not cooperate.
Ndlozi testified,I got out and tried to engage the officer, and he was not listening and kept saying we were not allowed access.
He said he then grabbed Venter by the hand and tried to pull him away from the vehicle, but Venter was “too strong” and pushed back using his body.
“The idea was that we had to push him as far out as possible so that we could enter because we had a right to be there.”
Ndlozi said their vehicle was fitted with a visible permit and went through multiple checks, but Venter maintained that they were not allowed to enter the cemetery.
Judgment will be handed down on the 29th of September.
Livestream Video Below:
Video Courtesy of ENCA.