15.04.2026
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UPDATE: EFF leader optimistic as court weighs non-custodial sentence

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  • EFF leader, Julius Malema speaks to supporters after his court appearance

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)  leader Julius Malema says his legal representative has argued a strong case for a non-custodial sentence in his firearm discharge case at KuGompo Regional Court in the Eastern Cape.

Malema was addressing party supporters outside court following an adjournment of his case for sentencing on Thursday.

He was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm in a built-up area and reckless endangerment of people or property.

Addressing supporters outside court, Malema says that even if a guilty verdict results in a custodial sentence, his legal team will appeal the matter all the way to the highest court. He also thanks his supporters for turning out in large numbers to show solidarity.

Case adjourned

Earlier, court proceedings in the pre-sentencing phase of Malema’s case adjourned for the day at the East London Magistrates Court, where final arguments in aggravation and mitigation of sentence were heard.
Sentencing proceedings are expected to continue, on Thursday.

“When we were growing up, persecution was always part of our lives, because capitalists want to use the system to silence the dejected masses of our people. We know what is at play, and we are not in any doubt that capitalists play a central role in trying to silence a radical voice in South Africa. They want to say whoever dares to speak truth to power must be taken to court. We shall not be silent under any circumstances. They can imprison me, but they will never imprison my ideas.

“They will never suppress the idea of economic freedom in our lifetime. So, fighters, we have come to the conclusion of the case, and the magistrate has asked for time to deliver judgment, possibly, on Thursday at 09h00. We are not going anywhere-we will wait for the judgment. Whatever the outcome, if there is a guilty verdict, we will appeal this case until it gets to the highest court in the land. When you appeal, it does not mean you are disrespectful, it means you disagree. And the constitution of the republic of South Africa allows you to disagree with magistrates and judges until the ConCourt makes the final decisions and only then I will accept I was wrong because the ConCourt said so,” says Malema.

RELATED VIDEO | Malema Firearm Case | Court adjourns for the day

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