Malema asks Gauteng High Court to jail Ngizwe Mchunu for six months

Urgent application and the request

Malema filed an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court asking that a direct prison term of six months be imposed on Mchunu without the option of a fine, after alleging repeated breaches of the court’s orders.

Background: earlier contempt finding and apology

The latest filing follows a contempt judgment against Mchunu in which the court imposed a suspended jail sentence and issued a warrant for his arrest. Mchunu avoided immediate imprisonment after he publicly apologised and withdrew the comments that led to the contempt finding.

Last week, Mchunu apologised to both the court and Malema, acknowledged the authority of the court and undertook to comply with its orders going forward.

What happens next

The High Court is scheduled to hear Malema’s application on 17 June. The court has allowed Mchunu to oppose the application and explain why the requested sentence should not be granted. If he fails to respond or does not appear, the matter could proceed in his absence.

Legal fight continues

Malema’s latest move indicates he believes previous measures have not deterred Mchunu from repeating the conduct that prompted the contempt ruling, setting the stage for another courtroom dispute between the two.