Thousands of Economic Freedom Fighters supporters were on Friday morning descending on the streets of East London ahead of party leader Julius Malema’s appearance for a pre-sentencing hearing in his firearm conviction case.
Malema was found guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm during an EFF rally in Mdantsane in 2018, following a protracted trial marked by several delays and postponements. Friday’s proceedings are expected to determine the penalty he faces.
EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, speaking to Newzroom Afrika near the courthouse as crowds gathered, accused the state of seeking to “make an example” of Malema, claiming the matter had long been driven by political motives rather than justice.
“We are going to take it as it comes. One thing we know is that there is going to be an appetite, due to the political climate around this case, to make an example of the president of the EFF Julius Malema,” Thambo said.
“There has been a desire for a very long time, since his days in the ANC Youth League, to prove a point by punishing and ostracising him from society. We expect that the state, along with the judge, will try to ensure that there is going to be a sentence that is going to maximally punish him, not out of the process of justice, but for the purpose of a political vendetta.”
Thambo said the defence team would argue that any severe sentence would be “irrational and illogical” and confirmed the EFF would appeal the outcome, regardless of its nature.
Police maintained a strong presence around the court precinct as the growing crowd chanted and sang in support of the EFF leader. Proceedings were set to begin mid-morning.
Earlier this week, IOL reported that Malema would not have the opportunity to fire questions at his namesake, suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, or former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride this week.
Malema was absent from Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee proceedings as he prepared for his pre-sentencing hearing at the East London Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Malema was convicted on October 1 on multiple gun-related charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public space, reckless endangerment, and failure to take reasonable precautions.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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