OPPOSITION POLITICS
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EFF Rallies in East London as Malema Returns to Court
EFF supporters converged in East London ahead of Julius Malema’s pre-sentencing hearing in a gun-law conviction linked to a 2018 rally.
Published:
January 23, 2026 at 4:56:23 PM
Modified:
May 15, 2026 at 7:03:32 PM
Hundreds of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters flocked to East London, in the Eastern Cape on Thursday 22 January 2026,
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is framing Julius Malema’s return to the East London Magistrate’s Court as more than a legal proceeding turning it into a show of national political mobilisation, with supporters travelling from across South Africa to back their leader ahead of Friday’s pre-sentencing appearance.
Hundreds gathered in East London on Thursday, 22 January 2026, with party structures and supporters organising marches and a night vigil in the city centre, signalling a coordinated effort to project unity and strength as Malema faces the next stage of a gun-law case.
Malema is due back in court for pre-sentencing proceedings after being found guilty of contravening gun laws. The matter stems from a 2018 EFF rally in Mdantsane, where he was captured on video firing shots into the air in front of thousands of attendees footage that later became central to the prosecution’s case as reported by The Eyewitness.
Marches, vigils, and a message beyond the courtroom
On Thursday night, EFF supporters marched for roughly two hours through East London’s streets before gathering for a night vigil, a programme party members described as an expression of solidarity with their leader. The turnout and logistics including supporters arriving from distant provinces underline the party’s strategy: treat the court date as a political moment, not just a legal one.
Among those in attendance was Simon Khadambi, an EFF supporter who said he travelled from Limpopo. He argued the country “can’t afford to lose” Malema, describing the case as politically motivated.
“We really need Julius Malema. He’s the only one who can bring peace,” Khadambi said, adding that he believed Malema would “liberate us from the ANC government.”
Another supporter echoed the sentiment, framing the mobilisation as tied to leadership and national direction.
“Malema needs to be the head of state,” the supporter said. “We’re here to support him because he fights for our freedom.”
Malema claims political targeting
Malema has repeatedly argued that the case is being used to silence him and weaken his political voice, a claim the EFF has amplified as part of its broader narrative that state institutions are selectively deployed against opposition figures.
With sentencing still pending, the party’s public posture in East London suggests it is preparing for multiple outcomes legally and politically while using the court appearance to rally supporters, reinforce loyalty, and maintain visibility at a national level.
Source: Eyewitness News (EWN).
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