Former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) treasurer-general Leigh-Ann Mathys is expected to appear in court after she was arrested on Friday for allegedly assaulting an EFF member.

Mathys, who is still an EFF member, was arrested and charged at the Bedfordview police station in Ekurhuleni and released on a warning.

"She will be appearing at the Edenvale Magistrate's Court [on Monday]," said a Bedfordview police station officer, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media. The officer confirmed that the charge common assault had been laid against Mathys.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said: "An assault case [has been] opened for further investigation and the suspect is expected to appear before court on Monday."

Following numerous unanswered calls to Mathys and top-ranking EFF members in Gauteng, Mathys eventually responded: "Please send a message."

However, no response was received after detailed questions were sent and the assault allegation was put to her. Her response will be added once received. 

When advised about the publication of the article, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said: 

That's fine, proceed.

This is not the first time a national EFF leader has landed in hot water with the police.

In October, party leader Julius Malema and his co-accused Adriaan Snyman failed in their bid to have charges related to the contravention of the Firearms Act withdrawn.

The pair are charged in connection with a shooting incident that took place on 28 July 2018 at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, during the EFF's fifth birthday celebrations.

Malema allegedly fired a weapon that Snyman handed to him.

After pleading not guilty to all six charges against them, they tried to get charges withdrawn.

However, East London Magistrate Twanett Olivier dismissed their application due to a lack of evidence. 

The trial has been moved to 15 July 2024. 

Last year, EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu was cleared of a charge of common assault. 

He was accused of assaulting Netwerk24 photographer Adrian de Kock in the parliamentary precinct on 20 March 2018.

Shivambu pleaded not guilty.

He lodged a Section 174 application - an application that is usually brought at the close of the prosecution's case. The court was of the opinion that there was no evidence the accused committed the offence or any offence, of which he may be convicted on the charge.

News24 previously reported that the Cape Town Magistrate Lindiwe Gura rejected the evidence of De Kock and the witnesses as contradictory.