South Africa’s Malema Sentenced to Jail for Firing Rifle at Rally

South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison for firing a rifle in the air during a political rally, in a ruling that could jeopardise his political career.

The judgment was delivered by a magistrate’s court in KuGompo City on Thursday. However, Malema was granted leave to appeal and released pending the outcome of the legal process.

Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted on multiple charges stemming from a 2018 incident at a stadium in Eastern Cape province where he discharged a firearm.

In addition to the five-year sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm, the court handed him a two-year sentence for unlawful possession of ammunition. He was also fined for other offences, including discharging a firearm in a built-up area, with additional jail time if the fines are not paid. All sentences are to run concurrently.

Presiding magistrate Twanet Olivier said the ruling underscored the need to uphold the rule of law, warning that unchecked offences could threaten South Africa’s democratic order.

Legal experts say Malema will not be imprisoned while his appeal is ongoing a process that could extend to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Under South African law, a prison sentence of 12 months or more, if upheld after all appeals, could disqualify him from serving in parliament a development that would deal a significant blow to the EFF, particularly among its youthful support base.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the court during the proceedings, many dressed in the party’s signature red berets and chanting in solidarity.

Prosecutors had argued for a harsher sentence, saying leniency would set a dangerous precedent, while Malema’s defence maintained that the firearm was discharged as part of a celebratory gesture without intent to harm.