Malema under fire: Civil groups demand his ouster from JSC

Malema

Johannesburg – Several civil society organisations — Freedom Under Law, Defend our Democracy, and the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution — have called for Julius Malema’s removal from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

According to Times Live, they argue that his recent conviction for the unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm, along with other legal transgressions, makes him unfit to serve on a body that selects judges.

The groups noted that Malema was also found guilty of hate speech in August and previously breached Parliament’s ethics code in May for using a JSC interview for political purposes.

Although Malema plans to appeal these rulings, the organisations said the findings show he has acted unlawfully and criminally.

They warned that his continued role on the JSC undermines public confidence in the judiciary, especially given his and the EFF’s attacks on the courts — including claims that the judiciary is “racist” and politically biased.

“The JSC plays a central role in selecting judges for appointment. Judges are responsible for upholding the constitution and the rule of law.

“It would undermine public confidence in the JSC, the process of selecting judges and indeed the credibility of the entire judiciary for an individual who is subject to ongoing legal proceedings of this nature and has made statements attacking the judiciary to be involved in the judicial selection process,” the report quoted the organisations as saying.

The organisations urged Malema to voluntarily step down, failing which Parliament should remove him.

Following the court’s decision, Malema declared the guilty verdict a “badge of honour” and vowed to appeal the decision up to the Constitutional Court. He emphasised his commitment to the EFF’s revolutionary ideals, stating, “As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour.

“We cannot be scared of prison, we cannot be scared to die for the revolution.”

Malema described the ruling as politically motivated and an attempt to discredit the EFF and its leadership.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 23, 2026.

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