{
  "id": 379760,
  "title": "Taxpayer costs soar to R1.2m for policing during Malema's sentencing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/taxpayer-costs-soar-to-r1-2m-for-policing-during-malemas-sentencing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/2026-08-09-taxpayer-costs-soar-to-r12m-for-policing-during-malemas-sentencing/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Taxpayers in South Africa incurred a cost of R1.2 million for policing during Julius Malema's sentencing, according to acting police minister Firoz Cachalia. The sentence was handed to Malema on April 16 for firing a rifle at an EFF rally in 2018. Police officers from other provinces were deployed to KuGompo City, formerly East London, to ensure public safety and maintain court proceedings. The deployment adhered to National Instruction 4 of 2014, which mandates resources for situations with apprehension of unrest, violence, or public disruption. The police presence was aimed at mitigating potential risks, such as clashes between opposing groups, and ensuring uninterrupted court proceedings. Cachalia confirmed that no arrests were made during the R1,214,961.96 operation, as no criminal offences were committed during the two-day event.",
  "summary": "Taxpayers forked out a staggering R1.2m to police KuGompo City over two days when Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison for firing a rifle at an EFF rally.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}