South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of illegal firearm possession and discharging a weapon in public.
The 45-year-old politician, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted over a 2018 incident, where he fired a semi-automatic rifle into the air during the party’s fifth anniversary celebration in the Eastern Cape.
Delivering judgment in East London, Magistrate Twanet Olivier ruled that Malema’s actions were not spontaneous but formed a central part of the event.
He was found guilty on multiple counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment, and discharging a weapon in a public space.
Malema’s legal team has filed an appeal to challenge the conviction and sentence, a move that could delay his imprisonment pending the outcome of the legal process.
In his defence, Malema claimed the firearm did not belong to him and said he fired the shots to excite the crowd. However, the court dismissed the argument.
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Hundreds of EFF supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting and singing in solidarity with their leader.
Malema, known for his bold and controversial political style, remained calm during sentencing.
He had earlier described the possibility of imprisonment as a “badge of honour,” insisting he would not back down from his political beliefs.
Malema, a former youth leader of the African National Congress (ANC), was expelled following a fallout with former President Jacob Zuma.
He later founded the EFF, which has grown into one of South Africa’s most influential opposition parties.
The EFF placed fourth in the 2024 general elections, campaigning on policies such as land redistribution and economic transformation.
The case against Malema was initiated after a complaint by AfriForum, following the circulation of the viral video showing the shooting incident.
He was also previously convicted of hate speech by South Africa’s Equality Court over remarks made during a 2022 protest, which the court said incited harm.
Malema has vowed to take his case to the Constitutional Court if necessary. The appeal process will determine whether the five-year sentence stands or is overturned.
The development is expected to have significant political implications in South Africa, as one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures faces an uncertain future.
