Omanghana
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria seeking a six-month direct imprisonment sentence for social commentator Ngizwe Mchunu, accusing him of repeatedly violating court orders restricting defamatory statements against him.
The legal dispute follows a series of public remarks made by Mchunu, a cultural activist and former broadcaster, which Malema says amounted to serious defamation and contempt of court.
Allegations at the Centre of the Legal Battle
The conflict began after Mchunu made widely circulated public comments accusing Malema of receiving millions of rands from Nigerian drug cartels, protecting undocumented foreign nationals, and benefiting from alleged corruption involving entities linked to VBS Mutual Bank and On Point Engineering.
Mchunu also used strong language against the EFF leader, referring to him with terms including “dog,” “political devil,” and “dead snake.”
Malema subsequently turned to the courts, seeking protection from what he described as a campaign of harmful and unlawful public attacks.
Previous Court Action Against Mchunu
Between May 12 and June 18, 2026, Malema approached the urgent court on four separate occasions in an effort to stop Mchunu from repeating the allegations publicly.
On June 5, 2026, the court found Mchunu guilty of contempt and issued a conditional 10-day arrest warrant. The warrant was temporarily suspended after Mchunu issued an unconditional public apology to both Malema and the court.
However, Malema’s legal team argues that the apology did not bring an end to the alleged violations.
Malema Claims Court Orders Were Ignored
According to Malema’s lawyers, Mchunu resumed making the prohibited claims shortly after the apology, allegedly repeating the accusations during an isiZulu interview broadcast on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
The EFF leader’s legal representatives argue that Mchunu deliberately ignored active court orders and demonstrated a lack of respect for the authority of the judiciary.
Malema is therefore asking the court to impose a six-month direct prison sentence without the option of a fine, citing what he describes as repeated and intentional contempt.
Court Moves Matter to Oral Evidence Hearing
The Gauteng High Court has ruled that the dispute cannot be resolved solely through written arguments because of conflicting versions regarding the alleged SABC interview.
The matter will now proceed to an oral evidence hearing, where the court will examine the broadcast in detail and allow witnesses from both sides to testify.
Both Malema’s and Mchunu’s legal teams have been instructed to prepare and submit their witness lists by August 3, 2026.
The outcome of the case will determine whether Mchunu faces further penalties for alleged contempt of court and whether Malema’s request for direct imprisonment will be granted.
Source: Omanghana
