In a significant development for South African politics, controversial leftist leader Julius Malema has been convicted on gun charges. This ruling comes just a month after he was found guilty of hate speech in a separate case, spotlighting a contentious period for the firebrand politician.
Malema’s legal troubles have drawn international attention, particularly from former U.S. President Donald Trump. During a high-profile Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump publicly accused Malema of inciting violence against white South Africans. He even displayed a video montage of Malema leading chants of “Kill the Boer” (kill the white farmers), a protest song deeply rooted in the country’s apartheid-era struggles against the brutal repression of the Black majority.
While South African officials have refrained from officially condemning Malema or the song, the politician himself suggests that his recent legal challenges are a direct consequence of pressure exerted by Washington after that notable White House encounter.
Malema’s political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), vehemently condemned the verdict. In an official statement, the EFF asserted that the South African judiciary is susceptible to “imperialist and right-wing agendas,” explicitly naming “the racist right-wing Donald Trump” as an influencing factor.
However, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority swiftly rejected any claims of foreign interference. They stated that the conviction underscores their unwavering “commitment to upholding the rule of law” and ensuring the impartial administration of justice.
Former President Trump has frequently and inaccurately alleged that white South Africans face widespread violence and murder. During the White House meeting, President Ramaphosa downplayed Malema’s influence, referring to him as a member of “a small minority party” and clarifying that his remarks do not represent government policy. Nevertheless, Ramaphosa emphasized South Africa’s constitutional commitment to freedom of expression.
This period of political and legal tension coincides with a critical juncture in U.S.-South Africa relations. The African nation is actively negotiating with the United States over the 30% tariffs that the Trump administration imposed earlier this year.
U.S. officials have pressed South Africa to amend laws they claim are discriminatory against white South Africans—an assertion that South African leaders have consistently and strongly refuted.
Kallie Kriel, who leads Afriforum, an advocacy group for Afrikaners (a white ethnic minority in South Africa), expressed uncertainty about whether Malema’s recent convictions would satisfy the Trump administration. Kriel, who has engaged with American lawmakers and Trump administration members in Washington, highlighted that President Ramaphosa’s continued refusal to condemn the “Kill the Boer” chant remains a “huge stumbling block” in these discussions.
It’s important to note that the legal proceedings against Mr. Malema precede the highly publicized White House meeting.
The gun charges, for instance, stem from a July 2018 political rally where a video surfaced showing Malema appearing to fire an automatic rifle into the air. Afriforum promptly filed a complaint after the video’s public release.
Malema is slated for sentencing in January and could face a severe penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
The hate speech conviction originated from comments Malema made at a 2022 rally. He declared, “No white man is going to beat me up,” and controversially added, “You must never be scared to kill. A revolution demands that at some point there must be killing.” The court determined that these remarks explicitly “demonstrated an intent to incite harm.”
Malema’s party, however, maintains that this particular quote was taken out of its broader context.