Malema sentencing: Police say no reported incidents during nationwide EFF protest

Despite heightened emotions, police said nationwide EFF marches remained peaceful on Thursday, with no reported incidents.

Scores of EFF members and supporters demonstrated across several provinces, staging pickets outside court buildings in support of their leader, Julius Malema.

Malema was earlier sentenced to five years in jail by the KuGompo City Magistrate’s Court.

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He has been granted leave to appeal his sentence, which relates to his conviction for contravening firearm laws at a party rally in 2018.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe commended demonstrators for respecting the rule of law.

"Public Order Policing units remain deployed across various provinces to monitor the situation and to ensure that all gatherings continue to be peaceful. These deployments are part of our standard operational approach to maintain safety and stability in the country."

Meanwhile, some stores in the Johannesburg CBD closed as demonstrators made their way through the city. There have also been reports of clashes between police and demonstrators in Mpumalanga.