South African opposition figure Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm during a political rally.
Gatekeepers News reports that the ruling was delivered on Thursday by a magistrate court in East London, stemming from a 2018 incident where Malema fired a rifle in the air at a party gathering. He was convicted on multiple charges, including illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as discharging a weapon in a public space.
Despite the sentence, Malema will not be immediately incarcerated, as the court granted him leave to appeal. Legal experts say the appeal process could take years, during which he remains free.
The case has major political implications. If the conviction and sentence are upheld, Malema could lose his seat in parliament, dealing a significant blow to his party, which is one of South Africa’s leading opposition movements with strong youth support.
During proceedings, the court stressed the seriousness of the offence, noting that discharging a firearm in a public setting poses a risk to lives, regardless of claims that the act was merely celebratory.
Reacting to the judgment, Malema struck a defiant tone, telling supporters that imprisonment would not deter his political struggle. He also vowed to challenge the verdict up to the Constitutional Court.
The sentencing has sparked reactions across South Africa, with supporters gathering outside the court in solidarity.
