Julius Malema, a prominent opposition figure in South Africa and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been convicted of discharging a firearm in public. The incident occurred seven years ago during his party’s fifth-anniversary celebrations in the Eastern Cape province. This conviction carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.
Malema was charged alongside his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, who was acquitted of the charges. The politician, known for his strong rhetoric, has frequently addressed issues of economic inequality and racial disparities in South Africa, advocating for the redistribution of land and wealth to the black majority.
The conviction follows an earlier finding of hate speech against Malema, stemming from remarks made after an incident where an EFF member was allegedly assaulted. The equality court ruled these statements demonstrated an intent to incite harm, though the EFF has stated they were taken out of context.
The firearm incident involved Malema firing multiple shots into the air in front of an estimated 20,000 supporters. He maintained in his defence that the firearm was not his and that the shots were fired to energize the crowd. The court, after a three-day deliberation, found him guilty as charged. Sentencing is scheduled for January 2026.
The case was initiated following a complaint filed by the Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum, which has a history of contention with Malema and the EFF.