Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Malema sentenced to five years in prison

Mr Malema was handed five years’ imprisonment after he was tried for illegally owning a gun and shooting it in public.

• April 16, 2026
Julius Malema
Julius Malema

South African politician and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, Julius Malema, has been sentenced to five years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and shooting in public.

Malema, 45, is one of South Africa’s most prominent radical opposition politicians.

Mr Malema was handed five years’ imprisonment after he was tried for illegally owning a gun and shooting it in public.

Sentencing Mr Malema, the Magistrate Twanet Olivier said the opposition politician deliberately violated firearm laws by shooting a gun in the air at an EFF celebration in 2018.

Last year, Mr Malema was convicted on five charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and shooting at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province in 2018.

Mr Malema’s lawyers filed an appeal shortly after the judgment was handed down.

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