Summary
South African politician Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of illegally owning a gun and firing it in public. His lawyer said they plan to appeal the decision to prevent him from going to prison immediately.
Key Facts
- Julius Malema is a South African opposition leader and member of parliament.
- He was convicted last year of owning a firearm illegally and firing it in a public place.
- The incident happened in 2018 during his party’s fifth anniversary in Eastern Cape.
- Malema fired several shots in the air with a semi-automatic rifle.
- The sentence is for five years in prison.
- A sentence longer than one year can disqualify him from being an MP.
- The disqualification will only apply after his appeals are decided.
- Malema showed little emotion in court when the sentence was read.
