Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been sentenced to five years in prison for firing a rifle into the air at an EFF rally in 2018. His lawyers immediately lodged an appeal and he will remain free while the appeal is heard.
Malema was convicted last year on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place, after the incident at the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in KuGompo City (then East London). Magistrate Twanet Olivier said the shooting was not an impulsive act or a moment of anger but rather “the event of the evening,” stressing that random gunfire can kill or maim bystanders and that public office holders bear greater responsibility.
Malema’s defence maintained the shots were celebratory and that no one was harmed. Olivier granted him leave to appeal the sentence but refused leave to appeal the conviction; his legal team said they will seek permission from a higher court to challenge the conviction as well.
Because the term exceeds 12 months, a final custodial sentence would disqualify Malema from serving in parliament, although that disqualification would only take effect once all appeals are exhausted.
After the sentencing hearing Malema spoke to dozens of red-shirted EFF supporters outside the magistrate’s court, accusing the magistrate of racism and of ignoring written arguments. He told the crowd, “We are fighting the enemy and the enemy is white supremacy.”
State prosecutors had asked for a 15-year term, arguing that Malema’s prominence and large following made his conduct particularly dangerous because it risked encouraging young supporters to imitate him.
The case was brought by AfriForum, a conservative lobby group representing Afrikaner interests that has launched other legal actions against Malema, including over his use of the chant “Kill The Boer.” In 2025 the constitutional court ruled that the chant, which originates in an anti-apartheid song, did not amount to hate speech or a literal call to kill.
Malema, 45, the son of a domestic worker, founded the EFF in 2013 after being expelled from the African National Congress for “sowing division.” The EFF is known for disruptive tactics in parliament and for advocating anti-imperialist, Marxist-inspired policies such as land expropriation and nationalisation. The party has attracted support from young South Africans frustrated by entrenched unemployment and inequality, but its share of the vote fell slightly in the 2024 national election to 9.5% from 10.8% in 2019.
Reuters contributed to this report.