Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema is expected to learn his fate on Thursday when the East London Magistrate’s Court in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, delivers judgment in his firearm case.
Malema was convicted of discharging a firearm in public during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018.
During sentencing arguments on Wednesday, the State called for a custodial sentence, while the defence argued for a non-custodial penalty.
State prosecutor Advocate Joel Ceasar told the court that Malema’s actions posed a serious risk to public safety and demonstrated a lack of remorse.
“The outcry following the incident shows such behaviour cannot be tolerated in a civilised society,” Ceasar said. “The accused did not fire a single shot that could be dismissed as accidental. His actions posed extreme danger to more than 20,000 people present, as well as the broader Mdantsane community.”
Meanwhile, thousands of EFF supporters have gathered in East London in a show of support for their leader ahead of the sentencing.
Malema has urged supporters to remain calm and avoid any actions that could damage the party’s reputation. Many supporters spent the night at Jan Smuts Stadium, where they held a vigil and vowed to remain until the sentence is handed down.
He also cautioned against retaliating to any provocation, calling for discipline among party members as the court prepares to deliver its ruling.