EFF LEADER JULIUS MALEMA'S PRE-SENTENCING POSTPONED: A NATION WAITS

EFF leader Julius Malema.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

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The nation holds its breath as EFF leader Julius Malema's pre-sentencing hearing has been postponed to April 15-16, 2026. Malema was found guilty of five offenses, including illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and reckless endangerment, stemming from a 2018 incident where he fired a semi-automatic rifle into the air during EFF rally bash.

The postponement has sparked intense speculation about Malema's fate. If sentenced to 12 months or more without the option of a fine, Malema risks being barred from serving as a Member of Parliament for five years.

Malema's defense team, led by Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, presented a pre-sentencing report compiled by social worker Jessie Thompson, highlighting Malema's troubled past and contributions to society.

Thompson argued that Malema's upbringing in poverty and personal losses should be considered in mitigation.

Prosecutor Adv Joel Cesar countered that Malema's wealth and influence made him a flight risk, and that a custodial sentence was necessary to uphold the rule of law.

As the nation awaits Malema's fate, his supporters are rallying behind him. The EFF leader's conviction has been seen as a test of the country's commitment to accountability and justice.