KuGompo City – EFF leader Julius Malema’s sentencing hearing in his firearm-discharge case on Wednesday saw sharply opposing arguments from the defence and the state, with a large crowd of supporters and family members present at the KuGompo City Magistrate’s Court.
Malema faces between two and 15 years in prison after being convicted of firearm-related offences linked to a 2018 rally where he fired a rifle in a crowded stadium.
His legal team, including Tembeka Ngcukaitobi and Advocate Laurance Hodes, argued that jail time would be excessive, noting no one was injured and suggesting alternatives like a fine or suspended sentence.
WATCH | EFF president Julius Malema’s defence Adv Laurance Hodes SC argues there’s no precedent of celebratory gunfire resulting in imprisonment. pic.twitter.com/TGhsAfQb3W
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 15, 2026
“To send any person to prison for this single event would be shockingly inappropriate,” Hodes remarked.
The state, led by Joel Cesar, pushed for a harsh sentence, saying Malema’s actions endangered thousands and warranted a strong warning against reckless firearm use.
“The accused did not just fire one shot and [leave] it at that, which we can consider to be an accident. He was malicious to say the least.
WATCH | State prosecutor Adv Joel Cesar argues that the custodial sentence will send a clear message to the public about firearm use, adding that Malema deliberately put the residents of Mdantsane in danger, calling his actions “malicious.” pic.twitter.com/QNdxByRYWo
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 15, 2026
“His actions constituted extreme danger to the 20 000 plus people that were present, not even mentioning the community right around Mdantsane, which we know is one of the biggest locations in South Africa.
“It’s condensed, it’s densely populated, and especially on a weekend, it is busy in Mdantsane,” he said.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier is expected to deliver the sentence on Thursday.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
