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Friday, 21 August 2026
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Friday, 21 August 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Julius Malema

Also known as: EFF leader Julius Malema

Julius Malema — leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters party, recently sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawfully discharging a firearm at a 2018 public gathering.

2018-04-202026-08-21
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. April 2026

  2. New Era

    Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in jail for firing an assault rifle

    Source

    “A South African court yesterday sentenced radical left-wing opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in jail for firing an assault rifle at a rally eight years ago.”

    Malema sentenced to five years on gun charges

  3. New Era

    Julius Malema was found guilty of deliberately violating firearm laws by shooting a gun in the air at an EFF rally in 2018

    Source

    “Magistrate Twanet Olivier said Malema (45) had deliberately violated firearm laws by shooting a gun in the air at an EFF rally in 2018.”

    Malema sentenced to five years on gun charges

  4. The Namibian

    Julius Malema has been sentenced to at least five years in prison

    Source

    “South African opposition politician Julius Malema has been sentenced to at least five years in prison after being found guilty of the illegal possession of a gun and firing it in public.”

    South African opposition figure Malema sentenced to five years in prison

  5. The Namibian

    Malema's lawyer said he would appeal against the 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.”

    South African opposition figure Malema sentenced to five years in prison

  6. New Era

    Julius Malema was found guilty of violating 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.”

    Hundreds rally ahead of Malema sentencing
  7. March 2026

  8. The Namibian

    Julius Malema told the 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".”

    Finally, signs of an ANC electoral strategy

  9. The Namibian

    Julius Malema may have formed the EFF inspired by Lekota's Cope

    Source

    “Without Lekota's leadership of Cope at the time, and his decision to form a new party, Julius Malema may never have formed the EFF.”

    How Mosiuoa Lekota challenged the ANC’s rule and changed the course of SA’s democracy
  10. November 2025

  11. The Namibian

    The EFF's Julius Malema challenged Matlala's statement about Cele misleading Parliament

    Source

    “The EFF's Julius Malema challenged Matlala's statement on Wednesday and asked if he was suggesting that Cele had misled Parliament.”

    ‘Cele lied’ — Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala alleges he made R500K payoff to former police minister
  12. September 2025

  13. The Namibian

    Julius Malema was found guilty of hate 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.”

    The science of hate speech – looking at the forensic linguistic evidence that proved Malema guilty
  14. August 2025

  15. The Namibian

    Julius Malema benefited from VBS

    Source

    “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.”

    The National Dialogue’s ultimate test would be to overcome our cynicism
Politics

DA, AfriForum challenge South Africa Expropriation Act in court

The News

The Democratic Alliance, a member of South Africa's Government of National Unity coalition, has joined AfriForum and the Institute of Race Relations in challenging the Expropriation Act, which would permit the government to expropriate land without compensation in certain circumstances. The high court in Cape Town is hearing arguments over five days on the Act's validity and constitutionality, with the Presidency, Parliament, and the Economic Freedom Fighters presenting counter-arguments.

6 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 6 August

  1. DA, AfriForum challenge South Africa Expropriation Act in court

    The Democratic Alliance, a member of South Africa's Government of National Unity coalition, has joined AfriForum and the Institute of Race Relations in challenging the Expropriation Act, which would permit the government to expropriate land without compensation in certain circumstances. The high court in Cape Town is hearing arguments over five days on the Act's validity and constitutionality, with the Presidency, Parliament, and the Economic Freedom Fighters presenting counter-arguments.

    6 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 July

  1. Malema denies conspiracy to remove intelligence inspector-general

    EFF leader Julius Malema has denied allegations that he conspired with suspended crime intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan and businessman Muhammad Sayed to remove former intelligence inspector-general Setlhomamaru Dintwe, responding via affidavit to the Madlanga Commission about WhatsApp exchanges in which his name was mentioned.

    9 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 29 June

  1. Crime Intelligence officer shot in Johannesburg, investigated as attempted assassination

    South African Police Service reports that Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan was shot in Houghton, Johannesburg, in what police are investigating as an attempted assassination. The shooting occurred the week Khan was scheduled to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

    29 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Malema-Khan WhatsApps expose blurred lines between politics, police, private networks

    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.

    16 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Rise Mzansi MP elected to chair Ramaphosa impeachment committee

    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.

    2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 11 May

  1. Ramaphosa likely to survive impeachment despite Constitutional Court ruling

    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.

    11 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 9 May

  1. Constitutional Court rules parliament violated constitution blocking Ramaphosa impeachment

    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.

    9 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Constitutional Court to rule on Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal

    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.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Pan-African Parliament moves toward regional rotation in leadership

    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.

    28 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 April

  1. South African EFF leader Malema sentenced to five years imprisonment

    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.

    18 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. NEFF deputy disputes Julius Malema's South Africa sentencing

    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.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. South African court sentences Malema to five years for firearm offence

    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.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 April

  1. South African opposition leader Malema sentenced to five years prison

    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.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. South African opposition leader faces sentencing for firearm offense

    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.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 11 April

  1. Namibian social media activists face legal consequences for defamation claims

    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.

    11 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 March

  1. South Africa: ANC signals mayoral strategy for Johannesburg election

    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.

    23 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Mosiuoa Lekota's legacy beyond apartheid struggle honored

    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.

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Julius Malema — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute