The political and legal spotlight will fall on the East London Magistrate’s Court on Friday for the pre-sentencing proceedings of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, convicted for firearm offenses stemming from the party’s 5th birthday celebrations in 2018.
Malema was convicted on multiple charges related to an incident at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane. The convictions include possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent danger to persons or property, and the reckless endangerment of persons and property.
Ahead of the hearing, hundreds of EFF members gathered at the Orient Theatre in East London on Thursday night for a vigil in support of their leader. The party has consistently framed the prosecution as a political maneuver, a stance it maintains despite the court’s guilty verdict.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with media broadcasting live visuals and cell phone footage from the vigil, underscoring the heightened tensions surrounding the sentencing. The events at the stadium six years ago have culminated in a pivotal moment for the firebrand politician and his party.
As the court prepares to determine Malema’s sentence, the proceedings are expected to be closely monitored, with a heavy security presence anticipated both at the courthouse and at related EFF gatherings.