Nine members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have been hospitalised following clashes with police outside the Mpumalanga High Court here on Thursday.
Hundreds of EFF supporters had gathered at the court to show solidarity with their leader, Julius Malema, who was sentenced earlier in the day in a separate court appearance. As the protest continued, demonstrators began closing the main N4 road, prompting police intervention.
According to reports from the scene, public order policing units arrived to disperse the crowd. Police fired rubber bullets, resulting in injuries to several EFF members and supporters. EFF provincial leadership confirmed that nine people were injured and remain in hospital receiving treatment.
Collen Sedibe, the deputy secretary of the EFF in Mpumalanga, spoke to reporters at the scene. He blamed police for escalating the situation, stating that supporters were simply singing and marching on the N4 road.
“We don’t blame the fighters. The fighters were just singing and marching… but we blame the police because they are the ones who shot the shots to the fighters,” Sedibe said. “We have some that now are still lying in the hospital. They are being treated now… it’s the police who started the whole thing.”
Sedibe added that the group would not leave the area until the injured members were discharged from hospital. “We can’t leave others behind… we were there with them when they got injured. So waiting for them to come out from the hospital and then we’ll move after that,” he explained. Buses remained on site waiting to transport the group once everyone was accounted for.
Regarding the sentencing of Julius Malema, Sedibe said the EFF had anticipated a harsh outcome but was surprised by the five-year term. He noted widespread expectations on social media of a possible 15-year sentence.
“We knew that the president was going to be given a harsh sentence… even today we are surprised that he’s given 5 years but… we’re going to appeal it and it’s going to be treated in the highest court of the land,” Sedibe said. “We are not bothered by anything that is happening today. We came here prepared.”
He emphasised the party’s resolve: “We are here to fight until the last drop.” Addressing a message to Malema, Sedibe declared: “The president remain strong. We are here. Mpumalanga is behind you. Your problems are our problems. So no one is going to scare us… We remain resolute. We trust him. He’s our leader. We follow him.”
Police confirmed the confrontation occurred and said they acted to control the situation and prevent continued blocking of the road.
The EFF has indicated it will pursue an appeal of Malema’s sentence in higher courts. Supporters at the Mbombela gathering remained on site into the evening, awaiting the release of their injured comrades before departing.