Party supporters held night vigils ahead of sentencing, while a large crowd gathered outside court on Wednesday during the first day of pre-sentencing proceedings.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said authorities had put measures in place in response to heightened public interest.
“We want to assure the nation that we have a comprehensive plan to ensure all gatherings remain peaceful,” she said.
Mathe confirmed that national police commissioner Fannie Masemola met all nine provincial commissioners on Wednesday night and received a full situational report.
“No incidents were reported. EFF members gathered in an orderly and peaceful manner. That is what we expect to continue. After the outcome, members must conduct themselves peacefully. At this stage, there is nothing to stress about, but we remain on high alert,” she said.
Lessons from past unrest
Mathe said police strengthened their approach after the July 2021 unrest and are now better prepared.
“Intelligence teams are on the ground, and we have deployed officers strategically in identified hotspots,” she said.
She added that police were also relying on EFF leaders to ensure their supporters remained disciplined.
“If anyone steps out of line, we are ready. We will act decisively against any form of lawlessness,” she warned.
Malema’s conviction and charges
In October last year, EFF leader Julius Malema was found guilty of contravening the Firearms Control Act.
The case relates to a viral video showing him firing a weapon during the party’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018.
The 45-year-old faces a minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.
The court convicted him on five charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public place, reckless endangerment, and failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm.
During pre-sentencing proceedings, social worker Jesse Thompson told the court that Malema did not act with malicious intent.
She argued that he fired the shots into the air, not at the crowd, and had no intention of causing harm.
