Malema presents himself to police over gun probe

South African opposition leader Julius Malema presented himself to the police’s special investigative unit over allegations that he illegally fired a weapon.

Malema arrived at the offices of the so-called Hawks in the capital, Pretoria, on Tuesday. His party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, said Monday the unit would issue a warning statement to Malema.

The 38-year-old head of the EFF was filmed allegedly shooting a rifle into the air during the party’s five-year anniversary celebrations in the southern town of East London last year.

His appearance before the Hawks came a day after the Daily Maverick, a Johannesburg-based news website, alleged that Malema was a beneficiary of funds looted from failed VBS Mutual Bank. EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said he couldn’t immediately comment when contacted on Tuesday. The party has previously said there’s no proof its officials did anything wrong.

Malema formed the EFF, which is known for it abrasive politics and brawling in parliament, in July 2013 after he was expelled from the ruling African National Congress. His party won 11% of the national vote in May 8 elections.

© 2019 Bloomberg L.P.