Julius Malema says, “As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour.”
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has been found guilty of discharging a firearm at the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebration at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.
He has been found guilty on charges including: unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area or public place, failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger to persons or property, and reckless endangerment to person or property.
Speaking outside the court, Malema addressed his followers and said, “As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour. We cannot be scared of prison; we cannot be scared to die for the revolution.” He added that whatever his opponents want to do, they must know the EFF will never retreat from its ideas and the seven cardinal pillars; at the centre of which is the expropriation of land without compensation.
Malema assured “Fighters” that we are fine and will appeal the verdict to the Constitutional Court, adding that he will include Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi to strengthen their legal team.
Political analyst Dr. Levy Ndou says he expected Malema to respond the way he did, to still portray and demonstrate that he remains steadfast. Ndou believes Malema is using this moment to organize people from the East London region to continue supporting the EFF and to ensure that they win in the next local government elections.
Dr. Ndou further adds that Malema could face a minimum 15-year sentence in prison. If this sentence is imposed, it will affect his position as a public representative and would have a negative impact on the leadership and direction the EFF is supposed to take.
“Justice has finally prevailed,” said AfriForum, calling the guilty verdict in Malema’s firearm case a victory for accountability and the rule of law.
Malema will be back in court in January 23, 2026 for sentencing, after sentencing Julius confirmed that he will appeal in order to go to a higher court, because the judges judgement is faulty.
Julius Malema ended his address by singing, “Kill the Boer, the farmer.”