The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has made a bold declaration, stating that banning the civil rights organisation AfriForum will be its first act if it assumes power in government. This statement came in the wake of EFF leader Julius Malema receiving a five-year sentence from the KuGompo Magistrate’s Court for unlawful possession of a firearm during a rally in July 2018.
An EFF Member of Parliament, Leigh-Ann Mathys, voiced the party’s sentiments shortly after the sentencing, which involved Malema being found guilty of multiple charges, including the unlawful discharge of a firearm.
As a complainant in the case, AfriForum was at the epicentre of the scandal that erupted from a viral video showing Malema firing shots at the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebration at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
“AfriForum is the reason we have been in this court,” said Mathys. “We do not understand why this organisation has not been deregistered in South Africa. At some point during apartheid, the ANC was banned – so why is AfriForum still operating? They spread lies about this organisation. We are not going to tolerate this as EFF. We don’t want them. The EFF has made it clear that once we are in government, the first thing we will do will be to ban AfriForum,” she reiterated.
In response, Jacques Broodryk from AfriForum dismissed the claims of racism levelled against the organisation. “If that’s the case, they will have to explain how racism made Mr Malema fire those shots,” he said.
Broodryk described the ruling as a confirmation that all individuals, regardless of their political stature, are equal before the law. “Politicians are not above the law. Thursday’s sentence is a win for every law-abiding citizen of this country,” he said.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentence against Malema.
“The conviction and sentencing of the parliamentarian for the 2018 offences, committed during the EFF’s rally in Mdantsane, is a reaffirmation of the NPA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and proper administration of justice, without fear, favour or prejudice, regardless of social status and standing,” said Luxolo Tyali, the NPA spokesperson in the Eastern Cape.
The sentencing included a five-year prison term for unlawful possession of a firearm, alongside a two-year sentence for unlawful possession of ammunition. Malema was also fined R20,000 for discharging a firearm in a built-up area and an additional R20,000 for failing to take reasonable precautions to ensure safety. The court ordered the latter sentences to run concurrently with the five-year term. Furthermore, the court declared Malema unfit to possess a firearm.
Welcoming the court’s decision, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, underscored that the sentence exemplifies the principle of equality before the law and the unwavering judicial process in the country.
