Julius Malema Convicted on Firearm Charges

Julius Malema has been convicted by the East London Magistrate’s Court on multiple firearm counts arising from a 2018 EFF rally in Mdantsane, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up/public area, and reckless endangerment. Magistrate Twanet Olivier found the rifle to be real after days of reading testimony and ballistic evidence, while Malema’s former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, was acquitted. The charges, brought after an AfriForum complaint, were said by the state to have endangered thousands at the packed stadium; the defence continues to say the weapon was a toy or fired blanks and has argued there was insufficient evidence. Malema, who remains out on bail, denounced the ruling as politically motivated, said he will appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal and ultimately the Constitutional Court, and framed possible imprisonment as a “badge of honour.” Pre-sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23, and the unlawful-possession count can carry up to 15 years in prison though any sentence will depend on the court's specific findings and mitigating factors.