Summary
South African opposition leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison for firing a gun into the air at a 2018 party rally. Malema, head of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted of unlawful possession and discharging a firearm in public. His lawyers quickly sought to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
- Julius Malema is the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, the fourth-largest party in South Africa’s parliament.
- The incident occurred in 2018 at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province.
- Malema was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and firing it in a public place.
- The court sentenced him to five years in prison, with a maximum possible sentence of 15 years.
- Malema claimed the gun was a toy and the shots were meant to be celebratory.
- The magistrate emphasized that the conviction applies to Malema as an individual, not his political party.
- If the sentence is upheld, Malema will be barred from serving as a lawmaker.
- Supporters of Malema and the EFF gathered outside the court and threatened protests in response to the sentencing.
