EFF Gauteng dismisses concerns over Malema's political future

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has denied that the conviction of party leader Julius Malema will have any negative bearing on the organisation’s political future.

Malema has been granted leave to appeal his five-year jail sentence; however, his application to appeal the conviction itself has been denied.

While he remains out of prison for now, the sentence could significantly impact his political career and participation in Parliament if it is upheld by a higher court.

READ: Political parties weigh in on Malema sentencing

Despite the legal uncertainty, EFF Gauteng spokesperson Dumisani Baleni maintains that the party is not defined by its presence in the legislature.

"The EFF is an organisation that is not defined by Parliament; we existed before Parliament. In fact, the majority of our programs are outside Parliament," Baleni said. "The President speaks and participates in Parliament once in a while. He is President of the EFF, of the masses that vote for the EFF, and black people across the country, not in Parliament only."