Edited by Bev Mortimer: Ahead of the appearance and court case for the sentencing of Julius Malema, the SAPS this morning announced that a visible and increased police presence inside and outside the court precinct.
This will include Public Order Police and visible policing units in place at East London Courts today to ensure the safety of all persons and property, to prevent disruption of the community’s daily business, and to guarantee that court proceedings continue safely, peacefully, and without incident.Pre-sentencing proceedings are happening today, 15 April, in the East London Magistrate’s Court (KuGompo), with the state pushing for up to 15 years in prison.
Malema plans to appeal any sentence. Julius was convicted in October 2025 on five counts under the Firearms Control Act, He was coinvicted for: unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, failure to take reasonable precautions, and reckless endangerment of people/property.
convictions were follow the incident when Malema fired several shots into the air with a rifle in front of a crowd at the EFF’s 5th birthday rally in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, in July 2018.
It is an offence to discharge a firearm in a manner likely to injure or endanger any person or property, or with reckless disregard for safety (Section one has to take reasonable precautions one has control of a loaded firearm where it could create a risk.
Penalties are serious: fines, imprisonment ( quite several years depending on circumstances), possible declaration as unfit to possess firearms, and licence revocation.
Road closures will be implemented on key routes near the court. The SAPS says it is fully prepared to maintain public order during the upcoming sentencing proceedings of Mr Julius Malema at the East London Magistrate’s Court in KuGompo City today and tomorrow 15-16 April.
SAPS are deployed ensure the safety of all court officials, for Malema himself . for legal teams, media and the public. The deployment officersis proportionate to the risk assessment.
“While we cannot disclose specific operational plans or exact deployment numbers as doing so could compromise security” the SAPS said.
The affected roads that will be closed will include:
Oxford Street, Fleet Street, adjacent CBD roads, and access routes into central KuGompo City.
Alternative routes to use are: the N2 bypass or R72 outer sections to avoid the city centre. Motorists may also reroute via the R346 or longer inland corridors.
The general public is advised to avoid the central East London Magistrate’s Court area entirely today and tomorrow (15–16 April) until proceedings conclude. They can follow law enforcement directives on the ground.
The general public is urged to listen to official instructions from law enforcement and not to be distracted by unverified social media posts.
“The will SAPS will not tolerate any lawlessness. Anyone found infringing upon the rights of others or engaging in criminal activities will face the full might of the law,” the SAPS warned.
St Francis Chronicle 