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Friday, 26 June 2026
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Friday, 26 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Julius Malema

Also known as: EFF leader Julius Malema

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.

2018-04-202026-06-26
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What’s been said

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

  1. December 2024

  2. The Namibian

    Julius Malema led the Economic Freedom Fighters

    Source

    “The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, gained significant traction among younger voters with promises of economic reform and social justice.”

    Namibia’s Youth: An Election Game Changer
  3. October 2018

  4. The Namibian

    Julius Malema is possibly the most effective ANC leader under 40

    Source

    “It is also surely the case that by some measures, the most effective leader that the ANC has produced of the generation currently under 40 is, well, Julius Malema.”

    ANC, A Rapidly Ageing Party Still Dwelling In The Past
  5. April 2018

  6. The Namibian

    Julius Malema ramped up the histrionics and shotgun tweeted racism accusations against the mainstream press regarding hiring of specific reporters

    Source

    “Malema and his crew ramped up the histrionics, which earned the EFF president a dozen op-eds accusing him of being a fascist, while he shotgun tweeted racism accusations at the mainstream press regarding the hiring of specific reporters, and railed against writer and editor Ferial Haffajee for the sin of becoming a successful black media professional.”

    Julius Malema's Path Forward: Narrow, And Paved By The ANC

  7. The Namibian

    Malema and his party teamed up with the ANC to put muscle behind successive no confidence motions against executive mayor Athol Trollip

    Source

    “Malema and his party teamed up with the ANC to put their muscle behind successive no confidence motions against executive mayor Athol Trollip, whose tenuous coalition they had previously backed.”

    Julius Malema's Path Forward: Narrow, And Paved By The ANC
Politics

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

The News

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.

16 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