South African Opposition Leader Julius Malema Convicted Over 2018 Firearm Incident

 

South African opposition politician Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been convicted for discharging a firearm in public during a 2018 party event. The case, which surfaced after a viral video showed Malema firing shots in the air, has drawn significant national attention.

The East London magistrate court found Malema guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in public, and reckless endangerment. The incident occurred during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebration in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, where Malema reportedly fired live rounds in front of approximately 20,000 supporters.

Malema had defended himself by claiming the weapon was a toy meant to “excite people,” but the court rejected this claim, citing clear evidence in the video footage, including muzzle flash and recoil. Meanwhile, Malema’s bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, who faced charges of supplying the firearm, was acquitted.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, and Malema’s sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2026. Should he receive a sentence exceeding one year, he would be disqualified from serving as a Member of Parliament, as stipulated by South African law. Malema has announced his intention to appeal the verdict, potentially all the way to the Constitutional Court.

This verdict marks a significant chapter in South African politics, highlighting issues around public safety, political accountability, and the rule of law.