Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and one of South Africa’s most prominent opposition politicians, has been sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment following his conviction on multiple firearm-related offences.
The sentence was handed down today by Magistrate Twanet Olivier in the KuGompo Regional Court (formerly East London) in the Eastern Cape. Malema was convicted in October 2025 on five counts stemming from a 2018 incident at the EFF’s fifth anniversary rally at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, where he was filmed firing shots from a semi-automatic rifle into the air.
The charges included: Unlawful possession of a firearm (5 years imprisonment). Unlawful possession of ammunition (2 years). Discharging a firearm in a built-up area (R20,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment). Reckless endangerment to person or property (R20,000 fine or 6 months). Failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger (R20,000 fine or 6 months).
The five-year term on the main count of unlawful possession of a firearm will run concurrently with the others, resulting in an effective five-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors had sought a harsher term of up to 15 years, arguing that the actions demonstrated a disregard for public safety and the rule of law. The defence pushed for a non-custodial sentence. Malema’s legal team has indicated that the conviction and sentence will be appealed, and the court has granted leave to appeal.
The case has drawn intense national attention, with EFF supporters gathering outside the court. A conviction resulting in imprisonment without the option of a fine could affect Malema’s eligibility to serve as a Member of Parliament.
This development comes amid ongoing political tensions in South Africa, where Malema and the EFF have positioned themselves as a radical left-wing voice advocating for land expropriation, economic transformation, and policies targeting inequality.