By Burnett Munthali
Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been sentenced to five years in prison for firing a semi-automatic rifle into the air at a party rally in 2018.
The KuGompo City Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence, with Magistrate Twanet Olivier stating that Malema’s actions were pre-planned and reckless, endangering thousands of supporters.
The conviction stems from a 2018 incident at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, where Malema was filmed firing shots into the air with what appeared to be an assault rifle.
Malema’s defense team argued that the firearm was a toy and that the shots were part of a simulation, but the court rejected this claim.
The sentence has significant implications for Malema’s political career, as a prison term of more than 12 months without the option of a fine could result in him losing his seat in the National Assembly.
The EFF has announced plans to appeal the conviction.
