The leader of the EFF, Mr. Julius Malema, is returning to court, where his case of firing a gun will continue. Malema will appear at East London Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and Thursday, where pre-sentence submissions will be made.
The submissions hearing was adjourned to January. Malema was convicted of firing a gun last year. He was prosecuted after a video showing him firing a gun, during the celebration of the anniversary of the establishment of the EFF, went viral.
The event in which he fired the gun was in Mdantshane, in 2018. Malema stated that the State wants him to be sentenced to 15 years in prison.
He said this while talking to the media last week. He said it is clear to him that there is someone who wants to see him go to jail.
“You can see that the State is oppressing me. They say they want me to be sentenced to 15 years. My lawyers will oppose the sentence they want, but what is clear is that they want me in prison. I don’t mind if someone wants to see me in prison.”
Malema is in danger of losing his position as a member of Parliament, if he is sentenced to more than 12 months in prison.
The law does not allow those who have been sentenced for more than 12 months to become members of Parliament.
Malema’s sentencing to prison, could affect the party’s campaign for the upcoming local government elections. EFF members are expected to protest outside the court on Wednesday and Thursday.
The court is expected to announce the date of the sentencing once the State and Malema’s lawyers have completed their submissions.