A South African court on Wednesday found opposition leader Julius Malema guilty of violating gun laws after firing an assault rifle at a 2018 rally.
Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and his former bodyguard were charged for firing the weapon in the air during the party’s fifth anniversary celebration in Eastern Cape province.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Malema was convicted of unlawful possession, reckless endangerment, and other charges. He faces up to 15 years in prison, with a pre-sentencing hearing scheduled for January 23 next year.
Malema, who attended the court session, vowed to appeal the ruling. Addressing supporters outside, he said: “As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour. We cannot be scared of prison or dying for the revolution.”
In August, Malema was also found guilty of hate speech after telling supporters at a 2022 rally that they should “never be scared to kill.”
The 44-year-old politician has long drawn criticism from South Africa’s white minority for his radical rhetoric, including his singing of the anti-apartheid song “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer”, which critics argue incites anti-white violence.
What you should know
Julius Malema is one of South Africa’s most controversial political figures, known for his fiery speeches, radical economic views, and unrelenting criticism of the establishment.
Once a youth leader in the ruling ANC, he later founded the Economic Freedom Fighters in 2013, turning it into a major opposition force.
Despite repeated legal troubles and allegations of inciting violence, Malema has maintained a strong support base among South Africans who see him as a champion of economic justice and land reform.
