Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast warns that Julius Malema's firearm-related case could detrimentally affect support for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Malema appeared in the East London Regional Court on Friday for pre-sentencing proceedings following his conviction for discharging a firearm during the party's fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018. He has vowed to challenge both the conviction and any sentence imposed.
The case came to attention on January 24, 2026, when Malema appeared in court, with pre-sentencing proceedings postponed to April 15, 2026. Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, a political analyst, discussed the potential impact, stating that a prison sentence would affect the EFF's electoral performance. He explained: “If he is being sent to prison, it will affect the electoral performance of the EFF because the personality of Julius Malema has been overbearing on the EFF. Most of the decisions that are made in the EFF revolve around the personality of Julius Malema, so I don’t see the EFF surviving without Julius Malema because he has been the image of the party and – on matters of leadership, I don’t think Julius Malema or the party has groomed another leader to take over from him.”
This incident underscores Malema's central role in the EFF, where his leadership strongly shapes the party's image and decisions. The 2018 incident occurred during celebrations in Mdantsane, a township near East London in the Eastern Cape. No other sources noted contradictions, but the analyst's view points to possible challenges for the party's future if Malema's appeal fails. The EFF's support largely relies on Malema's charisma, according to Breakfast, casting doubt on the party's ability to thrive without him.
