EAST LONDON – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has launched a scathing condemnation of social media threats directed at a high-profile state prosecutor, following the landmark sentencing of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema. The threats, which emerged in the wake of Malema being handed an effective five-year prison sentence for the illegal discharge of a firearm, have reignited fears over the safety of judicial officers in the Eastern Cape.
On Thursday, the KuGompo Regional Court brought a dramatic conclusion to a years-long legal battle. Magistrate Twanet Olivier sentenced the EFF firebrand to five years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm and a further two years for the unlawful possession of ammunition. Malema was also fined R20,000 for each of three additional charges: discharging a firearm in a built-up area, failure to take reasonable precautions to protect persons or property, and reckless endangerment.
While Magistrate Olivier granted Malema leave to appeal the effective five-year sentence, she denied his application to appeal the conviction itself. This legal victory for the state, however, was quickly overshadowed by a surge of hostility on social media platforms.
By Thursday afternoon, a post purportedly from the EFF’s official account began circulating under the hashtag #HandsOffMalema. The post, which has since been removed, directly targeted State Advocate Joel Cesar, the lead prosecutor in the case. The tweet allegedly quoted Malema as saying: “The only thing we need to do is to make sure that this prosecutor, who is arrogant, and suffers from short-man syndrome, is taught a lesson.”
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that the authority has noted the circulation of this content with deep concern. “The NPA strongly condemns any form of intimidation or threats against its prosecutors,” Kganyago stated. “These officials serve the public by representing the State and are constitutionally mandated to execute their duties without fear, favour, or prejudice.”
The timing of these threats is particularly sensitive. The Eastern Cape has become a flashpoint for violence against legal professionals. Over the past two years, three prosecutors in the province have been tragically killed, including the high-profile assassinations of Elona Sombulula in Ngcobo and Tracy Brown in Gqeberha. Brown was gunned down in front of her home in July 2025, an incident that underscored the mortal danger faced by those tasked with upholding the rule of law.
Kganyago emphasised that such conduct poses a “real risk to the safety and lives” of those in the justice system. “This concern is heightened in the Eastern Cape, where three prosecutors have tragically been killed over the past two years, underscoring the very real dangers faced by members of the prosecuting authority,” he added. “Prosecutors are officers of the court, and a threat to a prosecutor will attract consequences.”
The fallout from the sentencing has also spilled into a public spat between Malema and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. Addressing supporters outside the court on Thursday, Malema took aim at the Premier, accusing him of fraudulently obtaining a master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare and calling for an immediate investigation.
Mabuyane, however, was quick to fire back, lashing out at what he described as a “pattern of sustained and defamatory conduct.” The Premier clarified that he does not hold a master’s degree from the institution, noting that while he had been registered for a master’s in public administration, he was deregistered in 2021 after the university identified procedural irregularities in his admission.
“Mr Malema has just been convicted and sentenced to direct imprisonment by a court of law for his reckless behaviour of discharging a firearm in public,” Mabuyane said in a blistering statement. “His focus should be more on showing remorse to the South African public for his egregious behaviour, because as a public representative, he has failed to respect the rule of law.”
The Premier added that he has instructed his legal team to “explore appropriate legal remedies” regarding Malema’s remarks, which he maintains are sub judice as the matter is currently before the courts. “It would be improper and unlawful to ventilate its merits in the public domain while legal processes are under way,” Mabuyane cautioned.
As Malema prepares his appeal, the NPA remains resolute. The authority has indicated that all threats, whether perceived as credible or not, will be reported to law enforcement for investigation. For a province still reeling from the loss of its own prosecutors, the #HandsOffMalema rhetoric is seen not just as political theatre, but as a direct assault on the independence of the South African judiciary.
The NPA concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding its staff. “The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to safeguard its prosecutors and ensure that they are able to perform their functions independently, safely, and effectively,” Kganyago said.
With the trial for Tracy Brown’s alleged killers set to continue in the coming months, the shadow of violence continues to loom large over the Eastern Cape’s courts. For Advocate Joel Cesar and his colleagues, the "lesson" being taught on social media is a chilling reminder of the price of seeking justice in a highly charged political climate.
