South African anti-immigration activist Ngizwe Mchunu could face a six-month prison sentence after a new legal application was filed against him by politician Julius Malema.
Mchunu, leader of the Amabhinca Nation movement, turned himself in to Gauteng police on June 8 to begin serving a 10-day jail sentence after being found guilty of contempt of court.
The ruling stemmed from his alleged violation of a court order that barred him from repeating claims that Malema had received money from alleged Nigerian crime syndicates.
The court had previously instructed Mchunu not to make or repeat the allegations after Malema filed a defamation case against him.
However, the activist was later found to have breached that order, resulting in the contempt ruling.
Following the judgment, Mchunu voluntarily reported to the authorities and also issued an apology to both Malema and the courts for failing to comply with the earlier order.
Despite surrendering to serve his sentence, Mchunu was subsequently released after Malema filed an urgent application seeking a harsher punishment. The new court filing requests that the activist be sentenced to six months in prison without the option of a fine.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on June 17, where judges will determine whether the tougher sentence should be imposed.
The legal battle has attracted significant public attention in South Africa due to Mchunu’s outspoken stance on immigration and his involvement in campaigns that have sparked controversy over alleged xenophobic rhetoric.
Meanwhile, the case has reignited conversations around freedom of speech, accountability, and the limits of public commentary, particularly when court orders are involved.As the hearing date approaches, attention will remain focused on the court’s decision and the potential consequences for one of South Africa’s most controversial activists.
