Julius Malema boldly addressed supporters after the court found him guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm, declaring that prison or death would not stop him from pursuing the EFF’s revolutionary mission
The East London Magistrate’s Court convicted Julius Malema on five charges.
These included unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, reckless endangerment of people or property, and failing to take precautions to avoid danger.”
The charges related to a 2018 incident when he fired a rifle into the air during the party’s fifth anniversary rally at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
Malema claimed authorities targeted him personally
Malema told supporters the judgment proved that authorities had targeted him personally.
“We have been here for seven years,” he said. “We are almost at the end because today she passed her verdict finding us guilty. The court released accused number two, which we highly appreciate, because we know authorities had been targeting me from the start. They were not looking for accused numbers. They were just playing games, and today they came out.”
‘Prison or death is a badge of honour’
Turning to the political meaning of the verdict, Malema framed his conviction as part of the EFF’s revolutionary struggle.
“As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is the badge of honour. We cannot be scared of prison. We cannot be scared to die for the revolution,” he told the crowd.
“So whatever they want to do, they must know we will never retreat from the ideas at the seven cardinal pillars of the EFF. And at the centre of those is to expropriate land without compensation,” he added.
Malema sings ‘Kill the Boer’
Despite the legal setback, Malema ended his address by singing his famous song ‘Kill the Boer’.
He also thanked EFF supporters who had gathered outside the court.
“Thank you, the ground forces of the EFF, for your support,” he said.
