By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
South Africa, April 16, 2026 - South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison, capping a long-running case tied to a moment that once electrified his supporters, but has now landed him in legal trouble.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader was convicted for illegally possessing a firearm and firing it during a political rally in 2018, where he discharged a rifle into the air in front of a crowd.
Delivering the sentence, the court found that the act was not spontaneous but deliberate.
“It wasn’t… an impulsive act. It was the event of the evening,” the magistrate said, underscoring the seriousness of the offence.
Malema, 45, showed little reaction in court as the ruling was read out, but his legal team quickly signalled they would challenge the decision.
His lawyer confirmed an appeal would be filed immediately, a move aimed at keeping the outspoken politician out of prison as the legal battle continues.
The case stems from a widely circulated video showing Malema firing a semi-automatic rifle during the EFF’s anniversary celebrations in the Eastern Cape, an act prosecutors argued broke firearm laws and endangered the public.
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Malema, however, has consistently defended himself, insisting the weapon was not his and that the shots were meant to energise supporters.
Outside court, the political undertones of the case were clear. Hundreds of EFF supporters, dressed in the party’s signature red, gathered in solidarity, turning the sentencing into a show of defiance.
In earlier remarks, Malema had framed the case as part of a broader struggle, telling supporters: “Going to prison or death is a badge of honour… we will never retreat.”
The conviction could have far-reaching consequences, including the possibility of losing his parliamentary seat, depending on the outcome of the appeal.
For now, the outspoken politician remains free pending the legal challenge, but the case marks a significant moment for one of South Africa’s most visible and controversial political figures.