IN PICS: EFF supporters mobilise ahead of Malema's sentencing in East London

Hundreds of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters have flocked to East London, in the Eastern Cape, to back their leader, Julius Malema, ahead of his pre-sentencing court appearance on Friday.

In October last year, Malema was found guilty of violating gun laws following a 2018 rally, where video footage depicted him firing shots in the air.

On Thursday, the main beachfront in Quigney is littered in red, with some supporters even cooling themselves off with a swim before Malema’s appearance on Friday.

The beach in East London is painted red, with hundreds of EFF supporters jubilantly swimming in party regalia.

Tondani Nevhuhoni, an EFF supporter, travelled all the way from Nkhelele in Limpopo’s Vhembe District to show her support for leader Julius Malema.

She said she believes that Malema is being targeted and claims that his guilty verdict for contravening gun laws was a plot to silence him for his political views.

"This court case was brought to distract Malema from his purpose. That’s why we’ve travelled all the way from Venda. There’s no substance in this case."

Meanwhile, thousands of buses are lined up along the beachfront in East London, dropping off party members who have traveled from all over the country to support their leader.