Leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters party, sentenced to five years imprisonment in April 2026 for unlawful firearm discharge at a 2018 public gathering.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
April 2026
The Namibian
Malema's lawyersaid he would appeal againstthe decision to prevent Malema from being sent to prison
Source
“Malema's lawyer said he would be appealing against the decision to prevent the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters and member of parliament from being sent to prison.”
Julius Malemawas found guilty ofviolating firearm laws by shooting a gun in the air at an EFF celebration in 2018
Source
“The state is seeking the maximum 15-year jail term for Malema, who was found guilty in October of violating firearm laws by shooting a gun in the air at an EFF celebration near the city in 2018.”
Julius Malematoldthe ANC rally that the DA is for whites, the ANC is for you
Source
“As long ago as the Saturday before the 2011 local elections, when then ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema told the party's rally at FNB Stadium in Soweto that "the DA is for whites, the ANC is for you".”
Julius Malemawas found guilty ofhate speech by the Equality Court
Source
“Forensic linguistics was used to prove that EFF leader Julius Malema was guilty of hate speech when he incited violence against a white man who was involved in a violent fight with EFF protesters in Brackenfell in 2020.”
“Whether it's the way Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu benefited from VBS, or the fact that Patriotic Alliance deputy leader Kenny Kunene was at the home of a person being arrested for murder, it can appear as if almost all of our politicians are enmeshed in corruption.”
Julius Malemawas featured speaking invideo linked by Trump on land expropriation
Source
“Trump also linked his post to a video sequence of Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema speaking on the issue of the expropriation of land and leading followers in the 'kill the boer' chant, among others.”
Madlanga Commission evidence alleges WhatsApp messages show Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan communicating with businessman Mohammadh Sayed about EFF leader Julius Malema, and that Khan may have influenced parliamentary questions and shared personal details. The case raises concerns about parliamentary oversight being compromised by intelligence and private interests.
Why it matters
Madlanga Commission evidence of intelligence-politics collusion through Malema-Khan WhatsApps threatens parliamentary oversight integrity.
Madlanga Commission evidence alleges WhatsApp messages show Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan communicating with businessman Mohammadh Sayed about EFF leader Julius Malema, and that Khan may have influenced parliamentary questions and shared personal details. The case raises concerns about parliamentary oversight being compromised by intelligence and private interests.
Makashule Gana, a Rise Mzansi MP, has been elected chairperson of Parliament's Section 89 impeachment committee, which will decide President Cyril Ramaphosa's future. The committee includes prominent MPs from multiple parties, including EFF leader Julius Malema, DA representatives, MK leader John Hlophe, BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane, and ActionSA's Lerato Ngobeni.
A Constitutional Court ruling has forced Parliament to consider impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over allegations concerning US dollars stolen from his home. However, analysis suggests it is unlikely he will be removed from office, as a two-thirds majority of MPs would be required and the ANC's interests appear to align with his remaining in power.
South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled that parliament violated the constitution by blocking moves to impeach president Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022, following a legal challenge by Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters and others. The ruling could result in fresh impeachment proceedings; Ramaphosa's office says he respects the judgement and reaffirms his commitment to the constitution and rule of law.
South Africa's Constitutional Court will deliver judgment on 8 May on an application by the EFF and ATM challenging Parliament's blocking of an impeachment inquiry against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal, involving the concealment of a farm theft of nearly $4 million in cash.
The Pan-African Parliament in South Africa this week is electing a new bureau after resolving a 15-year argument about leadership representation. In May 2017, the PAP passed a resolution to introduce regional rotation of the presidency, addressing a pattern in which only east, west, and central African leaders held the top position during the institution's first 18 years.
Julius Malema, leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters party, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the KuGombo Regional Court for unlawfully discharging a firearm at a 2018 public gathering in Mdantsane Stadium, with additional concurrent sentences on related charges. The prosecution argued the act was premeditated and posed serious danger to the 20,000 people present, while the defence contended the state misread evidence and that Malema should be treated equally under the law rather than receiving harsher punishment due to his public status.
Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu has described the sentencing of EFF leader Julius Malema in South Africa as politically driven and designed to intimidate. Malema was sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawful firearm possession in connection with a 2018 incident, though he has been granted leave to appeal the sentence.
Julius Malema, leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters party, was sentenced to five years in jail for firing an assault rifle at a 2018 rally. The magistrate ruled the shooting was a deliberate violation of firearm laws, not an impulsive celebration as his defence claimed, and Malema's team has signalled an intention to appeal.
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters and member of parliament, has been sentenced to at least five years in prison after being found guilty of illegal gun possession and firing it in public during his party's 2018 anniversary celebrations. His lawyer said he would appeal the decision, which would disqualify him from parliament once all appeals are exhausted.
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, is set to be sentenced today in South Africa for firing an assault rifle at a rally in 2018, with the state seeking the maximum 15-year jail term. Hundreds of supporters gathered ahead of his sentencing in East London, as the case—brought by far-right group AfriForum—continues amid broader controversy over Malema's use of anti-apartheid slogans.
A satirical opinion piece describes how Namibian social media personalities who make unsubstantiated accusations against public figures often face defamation lawsuits, forcing them to apologize and undermining legitimate activism in the country.
President Ramaphosa's comments suggesting retention of Johannesburg's current mayor signal possible ANC plans to impose a national candidate on the region, while the party's recent march focused on defending national sovereignty appears designed to shift campaign messaging away from local service delivery failures to broader anti-Trump and liberation movement themes.
The Namibian's analysis of Mosiuoa Lekota, who died on Wednesday, argues that his role in forming the Congress of the People in 2008 was equally vital to his anti-apartheid activism. By breaking the ANC's political dominance, Cope's 1.3 million votes prevented Zuma's government from securing a two-thirds majority, shifted South African politics from racial to policy-based competition, and inspired the formation of other parties including the EFF and ActionSA, fundamentally changing the country's democratic trajectory.