A South African court on Wednesday found fiery opposition leader Julius Malema guilty of violating gun laws for firing an assault rifle at a 2018 rally.
Malema, 44, leader of the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party known for its anti-capitalist stance and provocative rhetoric, was charged alongside his former bodyguard for discharging a firearm during the party’s fifth anniversary celebration in the Eastern Cape province.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed the court convicted Malema of unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment, and related charges.
He faces up to 15 years in prison, with a pre-sentencing hearing scheduled for January 23, 2026.
Present in court for the verdict, Malema vowed to appeal the ruling. Speaking to supporters afterward, he maintained a defiant stance, declaring, “As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour. We cannot be scared of prison or dying for the revolution.”
This conviction adds to Malema’s controversial record. In August, he was found guilty of hate speech for telling supporters at a 2022 rally that they should “never be scared to kill.”
Malema has frequently drawn criticism from South Africa’s white minority for his radical rhetoric and for singing the anti-apartheid song “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer,” which opponents argue incites violence against white South Africans.
AFP
