Labels Trump a ‘Devil’ in Explosive Speech Outside Court
By Thabo Mosia
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema did not hold back during a passionate address to supporters outside the East London Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 23 January 2026.
Fresh from a courtroom where his pre-sentencing hearing was pushed back to 15 April, Malema took aim at former and current global figures, calling US President Donald Trump a “devil” bent on chaos.
He also firmly shut down talk of white genocide in South Africa, stressing unity between black and white people. This comes amid growing tensions over his firearm conviction, which could see him face jail time and lose his spot in Parliament.
The Courtroom Drama Unfolds
The day started inside the East London Regional Court, where Magistrate Twanette Olivier heard arguments in Malema’s pre-sentencing phase.
The EFF boss was convicted in October 2025 on five serious charges stemming from a 2018 incident at the party’s fifth birthday bash in Mdantsane.
Back then, a video showed Malema firing what he later called a toy rifle into the air during celebrations, but prosecutors proved it was a real gun.
The charges include unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area without good reason, failing to take reasonable steps to avoid harm to people or property, and reckless endangerment.
The most severe count—discharging the firearm—carries a possible 15-year prison term.
Anything over 12 months behind bars would force Malema out of his National Assembly seat, a big blow to his political career.
Inside the court, a social worker named Jessie Thompson spoke up for Malema, asking for mercy. She painted a picture of his tough childhood, noting he lost his mother at a young age and grew up in poverty.
Thompson argued that a harsh punishment would hurt his young children badly, as he is their main provider. She also said it would stop him from doing his job as EFF leader, which involves fighting for the poor and pushing for change.
Instead of jail, she suggested a fine, a suspended sentence, banning him from owning guns for a while, and making him donate money to Gun Free South Africa, a group working to cut down on gun violence.
The state prosecutor pushed back hard, saying Malema was reckless and negligent.
They brought up other cases where people got long jail terms for similar acts, and made it clear they want a prison sentence to send a strong message. The hearing wrapped up without a decision, and the magistrate set 15 April for final arguments on what the punishment should be.
Fiery Words to Fired-Up Supporters
As EFF members marched through East London streets chanting and waving flags in support, Malema stepped out to thank them. Many had come from far corners of the country, showing the strong backing he still has.
His speech mixed defiance, warnings, and even tender advice, switching from tough talk against enemies to calls for love and discipline.
Malema claimed the case against him is part of a bigger plot by white supremacy to silence black leaders.
“When the EFF speaks, every black person wants to hear it,” he said. “That’s what white people are scared of…
They are scared of a black authority.” He saw himself as a target to scare others from speaking out. “I’ve been an example for the rest of my life… I will never retreat.
I will never surrender to white supremacy.”
He went hard on AfriForum, a group often at odds with the EFF over land and race issues.
“They must pray that the EFF must never be a government in South Africa, because the day the EFF becomes a government in South Africa, we are going to lock up all AfriForum members… because they are terrorists.”
Malema restated the EFF’s big policies, like taking land without paying for it. “This is our land,” he declared.
“No sheep came with the land when they came from Europe. We will expropriate it without compensation whether they like it or not. We will nationalise the mines. We will establish a state bank.”
Blasting Trump and Defending Unity
Malema then turned his fire on international matters, slamming US President Donald Trump for recent moves that have shaken the world.
This follows Trump’s controversial actions, including a bold military move in Venezuela where US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro. Malema linked this to Trump’s habit of ignoring global rules.
“Donald Trump whether he likes it or not, his term is coming to an end and he’s going to jail unless he does the quickest thing and drink poison,” Malema said.
“The world will never forgive Donald Trump for what he did by destabilizing the whole world and undermine the international law.”
He called Trump ignorant and driven by emotions, not sense. “His day is coming and we must not be worried about a man who speaks about politics yet he knows nothing about politics.
How do you say I don’t follow international law, I follow my emotions how I feel what kind of politics are those? Is simply telling you his empty head.”
Malema added, “The only thing that makes people respect him is because he is white.
But otherwise Otejimu shikamoto ya Donald Trump is a stupid when you see every time… Donald Trump is a devil that want to destabilize the world peace and we are for peace.”
Shifting to local race tensions, Malema rejected ideas spread by some overseas, like claims from Trump and others about white farmers being targeted.
“We don’t fight white people. We fight white supremacy,” he explained. He urged his followers to teach others the difference.
“And the illiterates will not know the difference it’s up to you that ground forces to go door-to-door explaining to them that we don’t hate white people.”
He made it clear: “There is no white genocide in South Africa. There is black and white love in South Africa. Every one person who loves a fellow black brother is our brother.
We will do everything in our power to defend those white people who love South Africa and who love our own people.”
But he had a warning for those he sees as racist: “But if you can with a tendency of AfriForum we’ll make sure that you don’t enjoy the peace we join.”
A Softer Side: Family and Discipline
In a more personal turn, Malema spoke like a caring leader, telling supporters to head home safely and look after their loved ones.
“So let’s go comrades and look after our families,” he said. “You will never take care of a community if you can’t take care of your family.”
He explained that care is not just about money. “Looking after your family does not mean you must have money. Just show them love. Give them a hug… remind them many, many times a day how much you love them.”
Malema shared a touching story from inside the court. “When I’m sitting there in court, my wife sends me a message and she says, ‘You look so lonely alone in the court,’” he recalled.
But he felt backed by family and fans. “If you look behind me, all my aunts are behind me… All my relatives are behind me. They are a wall.”
He stressed staying calm to avoid giving foes reasons to attack the EFF. “No female must be harassed,” he warned, calling for discipline.
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