Former EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has stepped into the political ring once again, this time mounting a vocal defence of Julius Malema as the party leader awaits a crucial sentencing ruling on Thursday morning.
In a strongly worded post on X on Wednesday, Ndlozi warned that imprisoning Malema would serve no meaningful purpose for the country, framing the issue as one that stretches beyond the courtroom into the political balance of power.
“This country & society benefits NOTHING with Malema in prison. NOTHING! Not on those charges!” Ndlozi wrote.
Right-wing forces ‘must not win’
He argued that Malema’s role in Parliament remains vital, cautioning against what he described as the growing influence of right-wing forces.
“His voice is crucial right inside Parliament. We can’t give way to liberal right-wing forces to dominate. AfriForum must NOT WIN! Ngxa!” he added.
Ndlozi’s intervention comes at a decisive moment. The court has already heard arguments in Malema’s pre-sentencing phase, with the State pushing for a custodial sentence of 15 years while the defence seeks alternatives such as a fine or suspended sentence. Judgment is now imminent.
Malema’s position in parliament at risk
His comments inject fresh political heat into a case that already carries significant consequences. A custodial sentence exceeding 12 months could place Malema’s position in Parliament at risk, raising broader implications for the EFF’s leadership and voice in national politics.
But Ndlozi’s latest stance also highlights the shifting terrain of his own political posture.
In recent times, he has largely kept a distance from frontline EFF battles. Yet his defence of Malema suggests that when the stakes rise, old allegiances retain their gravitational pull, drawing former insiders back into orbit.
Ndlozi rebuked Malema in March
That pull is made more striking by Ndlozi’s position just weeks ago. In March, he publicly pushed back against Malema following the EFF leader’s attack on KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, warning against undermining the senior officer.
“Hands off Gen Mkhwanazi,” Ndlozi wrote at the time, cautioning that failure to protect the commissioner risked dragging the country towards what he described as a “mafia state”.
The moment was widely interpreted as a rare public divergence, a subtle but pointed rebuke that suggested Ndlozi was willing to challenge Malema on matters of principle.
Now, with Malema facing the possibility of imprisonment, that divergence has given way to defence.
- Former EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has publicly defended Julius Malema ahead of Malema’s sentencing ruling expected Thursday morning.
- Ndlozi argued imprisoning Malema would harm the country and weaken the political balance, warning against right-wing forces gaining dominance.
- The court is considering a custodial sentence (up to 15 years requested by the State) or alternatives, with a prison term potentially jeopardizing Malema’s parliamentary position and the EFF’s leadership.
- Ndlozi, who had recently criticized Malema over an unrelated issue in March, has now returned to backing him as stakes rise.
- Ndlozi’s defense highlights shifting political dynamics within the EFF and demonstrates ongoing loyalty despite previous public disagreements.
Former EFF MP
In a strongly worded post on X on Wednesday,
“
He argued that Malema’s role in Parliament remains vital, cautioning against what he described as the growing influence of right-wing forces.
“His voice is crucial right inside Parliament. We can’t give way to liberal right-wing forces to dominate. AfriForum must NOT WIN!
His comments inject fresh political heat into a case that already carries significant consequences. A custodial sentence exceeding 12 months could place Malema’s position in Parliament at risk, raising broader implications for the EFF’s leadership and voice in national politics.
But
In recent times, he has largely kept a distance from frontline EFF battles. Yet his defence of Malema suggests that when the stakes rise, old allegiances retain their gravitational pull, drawing former insiders back into orbit.
“
Now, with Malema facing the possibility of imprisonment, that divergence has given way to defence.
