Court jails South Africa’s Malema for illegal firearm use

A South African court has sentenced opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in prison for illegally discharging a firearm at a political rally.

Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, was convicted over an incident in 2018 where he fired an assault rifle into the air during a party celebration.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Twanet Olivier said Malema had deliberately violated firearm laws.

The ruling sparked strong reactions, with hundreds of EFF supporters gathering outside the court in a show of solidarity.

The case has drawn significant political attention, given Malema’s prominence as a leading opposition figure in South Africa.