Malema Goes for the Jugular: EFF Boss Wants Ngizwe Mchunu Behind Bars for Six Months
Julius Malema is done playing games. The Economic Freedom Fighters leader has filed an urgent contempt of court application in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, demanding that social commentator Ngizwe Mchunu be sentenced to six months in prison — no fine, no suspended sentence, no second chances. The application was filed on 8 June 2026, just days after Mchunu issued a public apology that Malema’s camp clearly considers worthless.
What Malema Is Asking the Court to Do
The application, filed under case number 2026/099011, is not a warning shot. It is a demand for blood — legal blood. Malema wants the court to declare Mchunu guilty of contempt, issue a warrant of arrest, and order him to surrender to the nearest police station within 12 hours of any ruling against him.
The Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service have been cited as respondents, which means the state machinery could be activated to physically enforce this order if it is granted.
Malema is also demanding that Mchunu foot the legal bill — on an attorney-and-client scale, including the costs of two counsel. That is the most punishing cost order a court can make. Malema is represented by England Slabbert Attorneys Inc.
The Backstory: An Apology That Meant Nothing
This is not the beginning of this fight. On 5 June 2026, a Pretoria court already found Mchunu guilty of contempt for violating earlier May court orders that barred him from making defamatory statements about Malema.
That ruling resulted in a 10-day arrest warrant — suspended only on the condition that Mchunu publish an unreserved public apology across all his social media platforms. Mchunu complied. He retracted his statements, acknowledged that court orders are binding, and promised to stop talking about Malema.
That promise lasted less than 24 hours. According to the EFF, Mchunu was back at it on 6 June 2026 — one day after the court order — making fresh defamatory remarks about the EFF leader.
The Stakes Are Real
Here is what young Kenyans and Africans watching this case need to understand: this is about more than two men’s beef. This is a test of whether court orders actually mean anything in South Africa’s fractured political landscape.
Malema’s legal team argues that Mchunu intentionally and unlawfully defied the court. That framing matters. Intentional defiance of a court order is not a technicality — it is a direct challenge to judicial authority. And Malema is betting that the court will not let that slide.
The earlier 10-day imprisonment warrant has been put on hold now that the new application seeking six months is before the court. For now, Mchunu walks free.
Mchunu Is Not Backing Down Either
Mchunu, for his part, is unbothered — at least publicly. He says he has no issue with the new charges and insists that his manner of apologising should not be mistaken for a lack of remorse. He is confident the court will rule in his favour.
Mchunu had until 8 June to notify Malema’s attorneys in writing if he intended to oppose the application, and until 10 June to file his answering affidavit. Failure to do so means the order could be granted without him even having a say.
What Happens Next
The matter returns to court on 17 June 2026 at 10h00. That is the day South Africa — and anyone watching African politics — will find out whether a serial contempt offender walks free or gets sent to prison.
Watch this space.
