The heart of South Africa’s economic hub was plunged into a state of high-alert and mounting panic on Thursday as Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters rioted in the Johannesburg CBD following the sentencing of their leader, Julius Malema. The East London Magistrate’s Court handed Malema a five-year direct imprisonment sentence for his conviction on firearm-related charges, a ruling that immediately triggered a volatile reaction from his fervent base.
The chaos erupted outside the High Court in Johannesburg, where a large crowd had gathered for a public viewing of the sentencing proceedings being broadcast from the Eastern Cape. As Magistrate Twanet Olivier delivered the five-year sentence, the atmosphere, already thick with anticipation, rapidly deteriorated. Sensing the imminent commotion, businesses and shops surrounding the viewing area began a frantic scramble to close their doors, fearing the repercussions of the crowd’s growing rowdiness.
The situation escalated as members of the red party began marching through the streets, some reportedly armed with golf clubs, sjamboks, and wooden planks. In the Small Street area, the sight of the mobilised and agitated supporters forced a widespread shutdown of retail outlets. The High Court itself was forced to close its gates, trapping people inside and preventing others from entering as security officials moved to contain the potential for violence.
Nkululeko Dunga, a prominent EFF figure in Johannesburg, confirmed the scale of the mobilisation, stating that party members had come out in significant numbers to show their unwavering support for Malema. The sentencing, he noted, was a direct consequence of Malema’s conviction for discharging a firearm, an act that has now led to a severe legal reckoning.
In East London, where the sentencing took place, tensions were equally high. Police cordoned off the court entrance, with armed officers stationed at the doors to prevent any breach of security. A brief but tense confrontation ensued between police and party supporters who attempted to force their way into the courtroom. EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Tambo was forced to intervene, calling for discipline and urging members to watch the remainder of the proceedings from a distance.
The police presence in East London was significantly bolstered, with a helicopter hovering over Buffalo and Commissioner streets, where supporters continued to picket. Regional leaders, including Buffalo City Metro (BCM) constituency leader Mziyanda Hlekiso, were called in to assist in de-escalating the simmering tensions.
Earlier in the day, EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini had issued a clarion call for all members to gather outside the court. Speaking from a stage, he urged supporters to remain ready and disciplined in anticipation of the judgment. “As we said, we are returning with the CIC today, she must finish whatever she is reading. Let us be ready, fighters. All must be here and disciplined,” Dlamini declared, setting a defiant tone for the day’s events.
The specific details of Malema’s sentence underscore the gravity of his convictions. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm and two years for the unlawful possession of ammunition. Additionally, he received a sentence of R20,000 or six months’ imprisonment for the unlawful discharge of a firearm, failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger to a person or property, and reckless endangerment.
Crucially, Magistrate Olivier ruled that all other counts would run concurrently with the five-year sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm. This effectively means that Malema faces five years of direct imprisonment. Furthermore, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm, a significant blow to his personal and public standing.
The legal battle, however, is far from over. Malema’s legal team has already launched an application for leave to appeal the sentence, a process that is currently under way. This move signals the beginning of what is likely to be a protracted legal struggle as the EFF leader seeks to overturn a ruling that threatens to remove him from the political stage and place him behind bars.
The events of Thursday have once again highlighted the volatile intersection of law and politics in South Africa. As the nation watches the legal process unfold, the immediate focus remains on the streets of Johannesburg and East London, where the fallout from Malema’s sentencing continues to reverberate. The panic in the Joburg CBD serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated passions and the potential for instability that surround one of the country’s most controversial and influential political figures.
