![**South African Court Jails Julius Malema Five Years Over 2018 Rally Gun Incident** A South African court has sentenced Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, to five years in prison after finding him guilty of unlawfully firing a rifle during a political rally in 2018. Delivering judgment on Thursday, Magistrate Twanet Olivier ruled that Malema intentionally breached firearm laws when he discharged the weapon into the air during an EFF anniversary celebration, rejecting claims that the act was merely celebratory. ([Al Jazeera][1]) The court held that the act was deliberate and formed part of the event rather than an impulsive action. Malema’s legal team had argued that the gunfire was symbolic and celebratory, but the court dismissed the defence and imposed the custodial sentence. The EFF has condemned the case as politically motivated, while supporters gathered outside the court in protest following the ruling. Despite the sentence, Malema is expected to appeal the judgment and has been released pending that process, according to multiple reports. ([Reuters][2]) [1]: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/16/south-african-politician-julius-malema-sentenced-to-prison-for-firing-gun?utm_source=chatgpt.com "South African politician Julius Malema sentenced to prison for firing gun" [2]: https://www.reuters.com/world/south-african-politician-malema-sentenced-prison-firearm-case-2026-04-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "South African opposition leader Malema gets jail sentence for firing gun"](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd-eEf4Pb9MuKsNnWhtUU745_aGFB5w1ymVe8iVSLEhHhaq1vFStv8DQJYyRKGe_qjIntqQ1W-lS_YfP7KTwvpnrDfqDiA-8kYHfQB7ilai2C_9xTcRbEKJXkj5jxctJeNBv1ko9G1SzOzI-Ek2MF3d84-jEr_yUCy8iuEM9DUAa6lXF03Tqktx5PcnDv/s760/Julius-Malema.jpg "**South African Court Jails Julius Malema Five Years Over 2018 Rally Gun Incident** A South African court has sentenced Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, to five years in prison after finding him guilty of unlawfully firing a rifle during a political rally in 2018. Delivering judgment on Thursday, Magistrate Twanet Olivier ruled that Malema intentionally breached firearm laws when he discharged the weapon into the air during an EFF anniversary celebration, rejecting claims that the act was merely celebratory. ([Al Jazeera][1]) The court held that the act was deliberate and formed part of the event rather than an impulsive action. Malema’s legal team had argued that the gunfire was symbolic and celebratory, but the court dismissed the defence and imposed the custodial sentence. The EFF has condemned the case as politically motivated, while supporters gathered outside the court in protest following the ruling. Despite the sentence, Malema is expected to appeal the judgment and has been released pending that process, according to multiple reports. ([Reuters][2]) [1]: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/16/south-african-politician-julius-malema-sentenced-to-prison-for-firing-gun?utm_source=chatgpt.com \"South African politician Julius Malema sentenced to prison for firing gun\" [2]: https://www.reuters.com/world/south-african-politician-malema-sentenced-prison-firearm-case-2026-04-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com \"South African opposition leader Malema gets jail sentence for firing gun\"")
A South African court has sentenced Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, to five years in prison after finding him guilty of unlawfully firing a rifle during a political rally in 2018.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Magistrate Twanet Olivier ruled that Malema intentionally breached firearm laws when he discharged the weapon into the air during an EFF anniversary celebration, rejecting claims that the act was merely celebratory.
The court held that the act was deliberate and formed part of the event rather than an impulsive action.
Malema’s legal team had argued that the gunfire was symbolic and celebratory, but the court dismissed the defence and imposed the custodial sentence.
The EFF has condemned the case as politically motivated, while supporters gathered outside the court in protest following the ruling.
Despite the sentence, Malema is expected to appeal the judgment and has been released pending that process, according to multiple reports.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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