EFF Limpopo members rally for Malema as he gets 5 years
EFF leader Julius Malema gets five years' direct imprisonment as emotional supporters gather outside Polokwane High Court.
POLOKWANE – Leader and commander in chief of EFF, Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years direct imprisonment by a magistrate in Eastern Cape Province.
Emotions ran high outside the Polokwane High Court ahead of his sentencing today, from members and supporters of the party.
EFF leader Julius Malema gets five years' direct imprisonment as emotional supporters gather outside Polokwane High Court. pic.twitter.com/QfCDJjFekH
— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) April 16, 2026
Malema is from Seshego, an immediate township outside the city where a myriad of his supporters are gathered today, to show support.
A projector has been set up outside of the building on Bodestein Street which has since been closed, with high police visibility.
Review Online has engaged his supporters who are of the view that the court should not have found him guilty or imposed any direct imprisonment, due to the bearing this would have on their welfare.
They are also of the view that the discharge of a firearm that did not harm anyone should not equal imprisonment, especially if it was part of a demonstration of an etched history.
Seshego resident, Koko Elizabeth Bopape says: “We are here for Julius’ court because he is our child. He is taking care of us. He buys us food.”
“I do not think he did what he is being accused of. He is not of that character. I am surprised,” Bopape mentioned.
The sentence
Magistrate Twanet Olivier, delivering the sentence to a packed courtroom, condemned Malema as follows:
- Count 1: Five years’ imprisonment
- Count 2: Two years’ imprisonment
- Count 3: R20 000 or six years’ imprisonment
- Count 4: R20 000 or six years’ imprisonment
- Count 5: R20 000 or six years’ imprisonment
Meanwhile, the politician represented by Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (SC) that he would appeal the sentence.
The state was gunning for a 15-year imprisonment, ahead of sentencing.
How Malema ended up here
In October 2025, Malema was found guilty of five charges relating to an incident in July 2018 during the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebration in Mdantsane, where the Red Berets’ leader discharged a rifle on stage, in front of thousands of party faithful.
Also read: Julius Malema to be sentenced on firearm convictions
Malema was convicted of:
- Unlawful possession of a firearm;
- Unlawful possession of ammunition;
- Discharging a firearm in a built-up area;
- Failure to take reasonable precautions to person or property; and
- Reckless endangerment to person or property.
