Malema Moves to Jail Ngizwe Mchunu in Urgent High Court Contempt Battle
Opening Shot: A Legal Firestorm in Pretoria
A new legal confrontation has erupted in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria, with Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema launching an urgent bid to have broadcaster and public figure Ngizwe Mchunu jailed for contempt of court.
Filed on 8 June 2026, the application escalates an already volatile dispute that now risks ending in a custodial sentence, a warrant of arrest, and a dramatic courtroom showdown scheduled for mid-June.
At the heart of the matter is an allegation that Mchunu deliberately defied a court order issued just days earlier.
Court Papers Demand Six-Month Jail Term
Malema’s application, lodged under case number 2026/099011, asks the court to declare Mchunu guilty of contempt and impose a six-month prison sentence without the option of a fine.
It goes further, requesting an immediate warrant of arrest should the order be granted, and instructing that Mchunu surrender himself to the nearest police station within 12 hours of judgment.
The application also cites the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service as respondents, signalling the enforcement weight behind any potential ruling.
Alleged Defiance of Court Order
According to the papers, Mchunu is accused of continuing to make defamatory statements about Malema on 6 June 2026, despite being explicitly restrained by a court order issued on 5 June in the same matter.
Malema’s legal team argues that this conduct was intentional and unlawful, forming the basis of a renewed contempt application.
The case follows a previous finding of contempt against Mchunu on 5 June 2026, after which he issued a public apology to both the court and Malema. However, the latest filing alleges that the apology did not translate into compliance.
Tight Deadlines and High Stakes
The matter has been set down for hearing on 17 June 2026 at 10h00 in the Gauteng High Court.
Mchunu has until 14h00 on 8 June to indicate whether he intends to oppose the application. Should he choose to fight the matter, he must file his answering affidavit by 17h00 on 10 June.
Failure to comply with these timelines could result in the court proceeding in his absence, potentially paving the way for a default ruling.
Legal Pressure Mounts
The application, brought by England Slabbert Attorneys Inc., underscores the increasingly aggressive legal posture being adopted in a dispute that has moved swiftly from public controversy to courtroom enforcement.
With allegations of repeated defiance now before the court, the case has become a test of judicial authority and compliance with court orders in high-profile political disputes.
As the matter heads towards hearing, all eyes will be on whether the court opts for another warning, or escalates the consequences to imprisonment.
