EFF leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison by a South African court over unlawful firearm discharge at a 2018 rally, drawing large public reactions outside the courtroom.
A South African court on Thursday, sentenced opposition leader and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, to five years in prison after finding him guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm at a political rally eight years ago.
Malema is a South African politician. He is the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, a communist and black nationalist political party since 2013
The 44 years old and the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has has been embroiled in a variety of legal issues throughout his political career: he has been convicted of hate speech, in March 2010 for demeaning comments about Zuma’s rape accuser. In 2012, Malema was charged with fraud, money laundering and racketeering
The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Twanet Olivier, who held that Malema deliberately violated firearm laws when he allegedly fired an assault rifle into the air during an EFF celebration in 2018.
The courtroom was heavily attended, with a large crowd of supporters gathering outside in solidarity. Hundreds of EFF members dressed in red staged protests, underscoring the politically charged nature of the proceedings.
READ ALSO
- Court Jails Malema Opposition Leader Five Years Over Firearm Case
- Pope Leo XIV Begins Cameroon Visit For Peace Mission
- Min Aung Hlaing Sworn in as Myanmar President
The judgment marks a significant development in a long-running legal case that has continued to stir public debate and political tension in South Africa.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Malema’s legal team will appeal the ruling.
About The Author
