Julius Malema has been sentenced in a firearms-related case, with the outspoken politician vowing to appeal the decision, which he claims was influenced by bias.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, April 16, Magistrate Twanet Olivier said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the offence, highlighting the dangers posed by the misuse of firearms in society, including incidents where stray bullets have claimed innocent lives.
Malema, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters, rejected the judgment, accusing the magistrate of allowing emotions and political considerations to shape the outcome. He insisted the case was politically motivated and confirmed plans to challenge the ruling in a higher court.
The charges stem from a widely circulated video, with Malema appearing alongside his bodyguard, Anton Snyman, who was acquitted. During proceedings, Malema argued that the case was driven by AfriForum, with whom he has had longstanding disputes.
A divisive figure in South Africa politics, Malema continues to command both strong support and criticism, particularly over his party’s stance on land reform and economic transformation.