By Marcus Moloko
The pre-sentencing proceedings of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema have been postponed, with the East London Magistrate’s Court setting 15 April 2026 as the date for final heads of argument.
Malema, who was convicted in October 2025 of violating the Firearms Control Act, will have to wait nearly three months before learning his fate.
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Malema fired a rifle in the air during an EFF rally held in Mdantsane in 2018, while his defence argues he did not aim the weapon at anyone. The court said it would reconvene on April 15, with a possibility of a continuation on April 16.
On Friday, the court heard mitigation arguments from a private social worker, Tracy Thompson, who testified that Malema should not receive a custodial sentence.
Malema, addressing his EFF supporters said the dignity of black people had to be restored.
The EFF leader reiterated the EFF’s economic agenda.
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“We are right when we say this is our land. We’ll expropriate it without compensation. Whether they like it or not, we will nationalize the mines. We will establish the state bank. We’ll make sure that the people of South Africa participate in the economy of South Africa without any hesitation,” he said.
Malema went further, drawing a direct link between political representation and economic ownership.
“By how parliament looks, you can see who are the majority. Majority are black Africans, and minority are whites. That’s how the economy should be. The majority of the economy must be owned by majority of South Africans, and majority of South Africans are black Africans.”
He also added President Cyril Ramaphosa in his public address.
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He told supporters that future generations should “salute the graves of revolutionaries” but “pee on the grave of Ramaphosa,” whom he labelled a “sellout” for failing to return land to the people.
He insisted that true revolution meant a complete overhaul of the system, not incremental reforms like housing projects or job creation.
The charges stem from Malema discharging an automatic firearm in public during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, East London, in 2018.
He was found guilty on multiple counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in public, and reckless endangerment.
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