EFF’s Marshall Dlamini sentenced for assaulting police officer
EFF’s Marshall Dlamini sentenced for assaulting police officer
Marshall Dlamini, Secretary-General of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for five years, for assaulting policeman Johan Carstens in Parliament during the 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA). Additionally, Dlamini has been fined R6000 or alternatively, sentenced to three months in prison for malicious damage to property.
Court’s rationale and sentencing
The Cape Town Regional Court’s sentencing comes after considering the context of the incident, where Dlamini was seen defending EFF leadership from what he perceived as a threat. “The Magistrate in the Cape Town Magistrates Court rightly dismissed the politically motivated argument by the state, which sought to imprison a responsible member of society who was executing his responsibility of defending his leadership,” noted the EFF in a statement.
The court acknowledged Dlamini’s status as a contributing member of society with numerous qualifications, emphasising that his imprisonment would serve no constructive purpose. “The court rationally found that our Secretary General is a functioning member of society… and removing him from his role as a leader of society would serve no constructive purpose,” the EFF added.
EFF’s reaction to the Judgment
The EFF has expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment, describing the case as part of a broader attempt to criminalize its leadership. They believe the charges were an effort to disrupt their legislative responsibilities. “The rationale used by the court in its sentencing reaffirms our view that the case in its entirety was vindictive and is part of a broader attempt to provoke and then criminalise the leadership of the EFF,” the party asserted.
The EFF also highlighted that on the day of SONA 2019, there were warnings of a threat against their leader, Julius Malema, which was confirmed by police testimony during the trial. This context, they argue, justified Dlamini’s actions. “On the very morning of SONA 2019, police communicated that there was a threat against the CIC Julius Malema, and this was confirmed on the witness stand by police in the court.”
EFF’s Next Steps
Despite the sentencing, the EFF remains firm in its support for Dlamini and plans to appeal both the judgment and the conviction. The party insists that Dlamini’s actions were necessary for the protection of their leadership and vows to continue defending their members similarly in future situations.
“Given a similar situation, any disciplined member of the EFF would react that way and we have every intention to continue to do so,” the EFF declared.