Taxpayers bear R1.2m cost for police presence during Malema's sentencing

Taxpayers in KuGompo City were forced to fork out R1.2 million for police presence during the sentencing of Julius Malema on April 15 and 16. Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia revealed this figure in response to a parliamentary question from EFF MP and treasurer-general Omphile Maotwe. Maotwe sought to understand the reason behind the extensive police deployment outside the KuGompo City Regional Court and the associated costs.

Cachalia explained that the police were obligated to uphold public order and protect citizens. The large contingent of officers was necessary to neutralize potential threats, including possible confrontations between opposing factions, and to ensure the unhindered progress of court proceedings. He affirmed that officers from other provinces were engaged to bolster the operation, in line with National Instruction 4 of 2014: Crowd Management.

This document dictates the deployment of adequate resources in situations where there is a reasonable expectation of unrest, violence, or public disruption.

The exact number of officers deployed, their respective provinces of origin, and the precise allocation of funds were not disclosed in Cachalia's reply. The court sentenced Malema to five years imprisonment for one charge, two years for another, and R20,000 or six months for three additional counts. All sentences were to run concurrently.

Malema's attorneys immediately sought leave to appeal, enabling him to maintain his position in the National Assembly until the appeal was decided. The charges stemmed from a 2018 EFF rally, where Malema fired a rifle at an air rifle at a birthday celebration in Mdantsane. He was convicted in October 2021, despite his claim that the rifle was a toy loaded with blanks. The state sought the maximum 15-year sentence.

Cachalia clarified that the R1.2 million operation did not result in any arrests, as no criminal offenses were committed during the heightened police visibility. The presence of police served a deterrent function, contributing to a peaceful atmosphere.