Julius Malema sentenced to direct imprisonment and fines by East London Magistrate’s Court

Magistrate Twanet Olivier ruled that Malema receive five years for count one, two years for count two, and a R20,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment for counts three, four, and five. The court ordered that sentences for counts two, three, four, and five run concurrently with the sentence for count one. Malema was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

His legal team plans to appeal the sentences. The conviction stems from a 2018 incident at the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebrations where Malema was seen firing what appeared to be a rifle. Magistrate Olivier stated that the events were planned, not accidental, and that Malema’s actions demonstrated an intention to commit an offense, despite his defense arguing that no injuries or damage resulted and that such prosecutions are rare in South Africa.