By Agencies
SOUTH AFRICA – The legal team representing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has made a passionate plea to the magistrate’s court in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, urging that he must not go to prison.
Yesterday, Magistrate Twanet Olivier heard final arguments from both the defense and the state before postponing the matter to today (16 April) for judgment. The State is seeking the opposite outcome.
Prosecutor Adv Joel Cesar told the court he is seeking a prison term of up to 15 years for Malema, who was convicted in October 2025 on five counts under the Firearms Control Act. Alternatively, he asked for a sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, with three years suspended, along with fines on the remaining counts.
The charges stem from a 2018 incident at an EFF rally in Mdantsane, where Malema fired a semi-automatic firearm into the air. Co-accused Adriaan Snyman was acquitted. The court previously heard that Snyman handed the firearm to Malema during the event.
If Malema is sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine, he will lose his seat in Parliament. Thousands of EFF supporters gathered outside the courthouse from early morning, many having camped overnight after a vigil. Police set up a heavy security presence around the building.
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