Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has strongly criticised Magistrate Twanet Olivier, describing her as the “most incompetent magistrate” after she sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment in a long-running firearms case.
Malema made the remarks while addressing supporters shortly after the East London Regional Court granted him leave to appeal his sentence on Thursday. He remains free pending the outcome of the appeal process.
The conviction stems from an incident at an EFF rally in 2018, where Malema was found guilty on multiple counts related to the unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm in a public place, among other charges. Magistrate Olivier handed down the five-year direct imprisonment sentence earlier in the day, with some additional fines or alternative short terms on other counts that will run concurrently.
In his address to the crowd, Malema did not hold back. “She’s the most incompetent magistrate who read a judgment for 3 days. It is never done,” he said. He suggested the lengthy reading time raised suspicions that she did not write her own judgments. “They ask a simple thing. Leave to appeal. It’s a simple matter. They stay stand up and they do not say anything. You still ask for 30 minutes,” Malema added, criticising what he saw as unnecessary delays in handling the application.
While the court allowed the appeal against the sentence, it reportedly denied leave to appeal the underlying conviction itself. Malema’s legal team is expected to pursue further avenues, including a possible petition to the High Court.
The case has drawn significant public attention, given Malema’s prominent role as an opposition politician and Member of Parliament. The sentencing raised questions about his eligibility to continue serving as an MP, though the granted leave to appeal means he is not immediately incarcerated.
Malema’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between the EFF leader and judicial authorities involved in the matter. The development is likely to fuel further debate on the intersection of politics, law, and judicial processes in South Africa.
