The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the East London Magistrate’s Court ruling that found party leader Julius Malema guilty in his long-running firearms case.
The matter stems from an incident at the EFF’s fifth anniversary rally in the Eastern Cape in 2018, when Malema was accused of firing a rifle in public.
The party said the case has been “maliciously pursued for more than seven years” as part of a political campaign to discredit its leadership.
In a statement, the EFF said the judgment reflected “a wider pattern of political persecution,” accusing state institutions and elements within the judiciary of being influenced by “imperialist and right-wing agendas.”
The party also criticised the magistrate for allegedly accepting untested hearsay evidence, and highlighted the acquittal of Malema’s co-accused, who was accused of handing him the firearm, as proof of what it called a “witch hunt.”
The EFF confirmed it will appeal the ruling, saying it has “full confidence that higher courts will expose the weaknesses and contradictions of this prosecution.”
Malema is due back in court for sentencing procedures on 23 January 2026.
CIC Julius Malema, East London Magistrate’s Court Appearance, Day 3 https://t.co/fz07lAM5TR
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 1, 2025
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The EFF President and Commander in Chief @Julius_S_Malema ending his address with a revolutionary song outside the East London Magistrate’s Court.
Noma kubi siyaya! #Asijiki#HandsOffCIC pic.twitter.com/6fdylLyWpl
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 1, 2025
