Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) lawmaker and deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu has come out strongly in support of EFF leader Julius Malema following his sentencing in South Africa.
Iipumbu described the case as “politically driven” and influenced by powerful interests.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Iipumbu said his party had been following the case closely and was not surprised by the outcome.
“We knew the case against Malema was politically driven. We have been watching with keen interest and knowing that even if there were to be a sentence, this sentence would not really be effective,” he said.
Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), NEFF’s mother party, was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years for unlawful possession of ammunition yesterday. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning he is to serve an effective five-year prison term.
For additional charges, Malema received six months in jail or the option of a R20 000 fine for each count. He was found guilty on five counts under the Firearms Control Act in October last year.
The charges relate to a 2018 incident in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, where Malema fired shots in front of a crowd during the party’s fifth anniversary celebrations. Despite the sentence, Malema has been granted leave to appeal his sentence, but his application to appeal the conviction itself was denied.
Following the sentencing, Malema maintained that the case was unjust and politically motivated.
“I am not scared. This is a political case meant to intimidate us,” Malema said in remarks widely reported by South African media.Iipumbu echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the outcome was meant to send a warning rather than enforce justice.
“There is no room for you to sentence Malema or send him to prison without an option. This is just to send a signal to say, ‘We have the power to do this’,” he said. He further questioned the severity of the case, saying the incident did not result in harm.
“I mean, you can’t fire a rifle and then say nothing was harmed, but then you are sentenced to five years. Was it done before in South Africa or even in Africa?” he asked. Iipumbu also linked the case to broader political struggles in South Africa, particularly among young people.
“South Africa is constituted by the young people, and young people have really matured politically and aligned themselves with the Economic Freedom Fighters.
These young people are the ones fighting to make sure that they have prosperity within their country,” he said.