{"id":35904,"date":"2026-01-23T18:48:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/?p=35904"},"modified":"2026-01-23T18:51:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:51:20","slug":"im-not-afraid-of-prison-or-death-malema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/2026\/01\/23\/im-not-afraid-of-prison-or-death-malema\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI\u2019m not afraid of prison or death\u201d \u2013 Malema"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image credit: @EFFSouthAfrica\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema<\/a>, says he will not be threatened into changing his political beliefs, even if he faces the prospect of imprisonment.<\/p>\n

Malema appeared in the East London High Court today for pre-sentencing in his firearm discharge case.<\/p>\n

The EFF leader faces multiple charges, including possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area and recklessly endangering people and property.<\/p>\n

He was widely captured on video firing what appeared to be an automatic rifle during the EFF\u2019s fifth birthday celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.<\/p>\n

The defence called a social worker, Jessie Thompson, as its first witness. She told the court she did not believe Malema acted with malicious intent and testified about his difficult upbringing, including losing his mother at a young age and never knowing his father.<\/p>\n

She also told the court that a custodial sentence would negatively affect Malema\u2019s children and could derail his political career.<\/p>\n\t

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