EFF supporters chanted “Kill the boer, Kill the farmer” in front of the magistrate’s court in KuGompo city (formerly East London). (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
“2026 the year of victory or death.”
Thousands of posters from the EFF with these words and a photo of their leader on them, this week adorned lampposts right across KuGompo city (formerly East London) in the run-up to sentencing in the firearms case against Julius Malema.
Malema was sentenced Thursday in the magistrate’s court in this city to five years in prison for the illegal possession of a firearm. He will appeal against the sentence and has been released on warning pending the application.
EFF supporters from right across the country marched to the Jan Smuts Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday evening for a special vigil before the proceedings.
Malema showed little emotion in court.
After the proceedings, however, he lashed out against the magistrate, the civil rights group AfriForum and the prosecutor in the case.
Maroela Media’s reporter, Elisma van der Watt, was there and also captured the events in photographs.
EFF supporters before the court. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
(Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
EFF leader Julius Malema and his wife, Mantwa Matlala Malema. It was the first time that Mantwa attended the court proceedings since the case began in 2018. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
(Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
Matlala (centre), in court this week with Malema’s family. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
Adriaan Snyman, Malema’s former bodyguard and the owner of a private security firm. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
Malema and his legal team. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
Malema accused Twanette Olivier, the magistrate who heard the case, of racism. He called her a “notable racist” and suggested that she is a member of AfriForum. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
Malema shortly before sentencing. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
Malema consults with his legal team after he was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
Adv. Laurence Hodes SC, on behalf of Malema, addresses the court. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
Adv. Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, also for Malema. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
Malema jokes with reporters in court after his application for leave to appeal. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
(Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
Family members of Malema. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
(Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
The EFF leader addresses supporters outside the court. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
An EFF supporter outside the court. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
EFF supporters try to prevent AfriForum’s representatives from entering the courtroom. (Archive photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s chief spokesperson for community safety and Llewellynn Hemmens in court. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
(Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
Thousands of EFF supporters marched to the Jan Smuts Stadium this week for a special vigil before Malema’s sentencing. (Photo: EFF/X)