The appellant, Mandla Xabendlini, was convicted in the Regional Court, Cape Town, of several offences arising from an armed robbery, including the pointing of a firearm, and sentenced to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment. On appeal, the High Court set aside his convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition but confirmed the conviction for pointing a firearm. The incident occurred on 4 June 1998 after a robbery at Woolworths in Adderley Street, Cape Town. During a police pursuit of a getaway vehicle, police officers observed the appellant, who was a passenger in the fleeing vehicle, pointing a firearm in their direction. Although it was uncertain whether a discharged bullet would have struck the officers, they believed they were about to be shot at and responded by firing at the appellant. The appellant appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal against his conviction for pointing a firearm.