Malema urges citizens to strengthen democracy by registering, voting

Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called on South Africans play their part in strengthening democracy. Speaking at the closing of the party’s second plenum in Boksburg, on Sunday, Malema urged citizens to register and vote for the party of their choice, saying people cannot demand services from government if they do not participate in elections.

He says South Africans have a duty to fight corruption.

“As part of trying to make that a law, we are demanding that the IEC must support that law. The IEC must join in demanding that all South Africans who are above 18 must be automatically registered, the IEC, as voters here in South Africa. And we need a voters’ role. They must print a voters’ role and give to each and every VD Not the word, they’re the ones who created the VTs.”

Conviction

Reflecting on his recent sentencing after being found guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm, Malema says he intends to appeal the conviction.

Malema says the appeal process will automatically suspend the sentence imposed by the court. He adds that if a sentence of more than 12 months’ imprisonment, without the option of a fine, is imposed, he would be disqualified from serving as a Member of Parliament.

The sentencing has been postponed to the 15th and 16th of April for aggravation and mitigation of sentence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_cwDW6hBD8

LIVE | EFF leader Julius Malema says South Africans have a duty to fight corruption. He adds, “Instead of the DA declaring the EFF as enemy number one, they should be declaring corruption and poverty as enemy number one.” pic.twitter.com/PfHSkrisK8

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 1, 2026

EFF leadership

Malema says even if he is removed from Parliament, he will continue to lead the party. He assures party officials that his leadership of the EFF is not under threat.

In October last year, Malema was convicted in the East London Magistrate’s Court on multiple firearms-related charges, including unlawfully possessing and discharging a firearm at a 2018 rally.

“But even if they succeed in removing me from parliament, I’ve got a home here called Winnie Madikizela Mandela House. That’s where the people’s parliament is, and that’s where I’ll go and serve in the people’s parliament in Winnie  Madikizela Mandela House, because I was never born to be a Member of Parliament. I joined the struggle to liberate the people of South Africa, not to be a Member of Parliament. They can take their parliament. I’ll remain in the struggle.”

EFF Leader Julius Malema closes party’s second plenum in Boksburg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm7y1Mc_d4s

♦️In Pictures♦️

The EFF President and Commander in Chief @Julius_S_Malema addressing groundforces at the #EFFPlenum2026

You are empowering the poor when you insource. So, lead another campaign of removing the poor from paying for Water and Electricity – and let there be a… pic.twitter.com/OEgocuv8sZ

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 1, 2026