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EFF leader Julius Malema at the East London Magistrate’s Court on October 1, 2025.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema is expected to be sentenced in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on firearm-related charges he was convicted for.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier found Melama guilty on charges including the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and discharging a firearm in a built-up area, endangering persons in the area.
The state is asking for a sentence of 15-year direct imprisonment, which Malema says he will contest up to the highest court.
The judgement handed down against Malema in October last year stems from a shooting incident captured on video, depicting Julius Malema discharging a firearm during the party’s fifth-year anniversary celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in July 2018.
The case against Malema was opened by lobby group AfriForum.
During the pre-sentencing hearing in January this year, the court heard the testimony of a social worker, who testified in mitigation, which included Malema’s political impact on society and as a sole provider to many people, including his family.
Despite the social worker’s testimony, the state reserves its position of the 15 years sentence, which Malema says he is more than ready to take on.
“If they send me to prison, I will appeal, immediately. I will have a team in Bisho and a team in East London the same day. Once she says so, then we put in a leave to appeal. Once she rejects it, the Bisho team will petition the High Court and then send us a proof that they’ve already petitioned the High Court,” said Malema during a media briefing.
The applicants in the matter say the facts have been put before the magistrate and they hope for a fitting sentence.
AfiForum Spokesperson Jacques Broodryk says they are happy thus far with the court processes; and hope the sentencing will be a clear and fair application of the rule of the law.
“Mr Malema has been found guilty of the serious charges, just some of the charges that he is guilty of carries a recommended sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment. So, it will be obviously be up to the judge to use her discretion to decide if there are mitigating circumstances or not and what sentence she will be handing down. But we are glad that Malema has been found guilty. It shows that politicians are not above the law and they still hold by the criminal justice system in South Africa.”
The EFF leader will again enjoy huge support of party members and supporters who have gathered in East London for a night vigil and a public show of support of the two days the matter is scheduled for.
-Report by Hlumisa Qabaka
