East London, South Africa – October 1, 2025 — South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been found guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm in public, following a high-profile trial stemming from a 2018 incident during a rally in the Eastern Cape. The conviction, announced on Monday, carries a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was captured on video firing live ammunition into the air during the party’s fifth-anniversary celebration in front of an estimated 20,000 supporters. The footage went viral, prompting a criminal complaint by Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum and triggering a lengthy legal process.
Malema was convicted on five charges, including:
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Unlawful possession of ammunition
- Discharging a firearm in a public space
- Reckless endangerment
- Failure to take reasonable precautions when handling a firearm
His co-accused, former bodyguard Adriaan Snyman, was acquitted of all charges.
Delivering the judgment after a three-day deliberation, Magistrate Twanet Olivier told the court: “You are found guilty as charged.” The case has been postponed until January 2026 for pre-sentencing procedures.
Defiant Response from Malema
Following his conviction, Malema remained defiant. Speaking to supporters outside the East London Regional Court, he declared:
“Going to prison or death is a badge of honour… We cannot be scared to die for the revolution.”
He vowed to challenge the judgment in higher courts, including the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s highest legal authority.
Legal and Political Implications
Legal analyst Ulrich Roux told the BBC that Malema faces a “good chance” of imprisonment unless he can convince the court to reduce or suspend his sentence. South Africa’s constitution prohibits anyone sentenced to over 12 months in prison without the option of a fine from serving as a Member of Parliament — although this only takes effect after the appeal process is concluded.
Broader Controversy and Political Fallout
Malema, known for his fiery rhetoric and radical positions on land reform and race relations, has repeatedly clashed with South Africa’s legal and political establishment. He was convicted of hate speech in August after telling supporters:
“You must never be scared to kill. A revolution demands that at some point there must be killing,”
in reference to an alleged racial assault on an EFF member.
The Equality Court ruled the comment as incitement to harm, though Malema and the EFF argued it was taken out of context.
Internationally, Malema’s controversies have also drawn attention. In 2024, he was denied entry to the United Kingdom over his support for Hamas and previous inflammatory remarks about white South Africans. His rhetoric has been cited by figures such as former US President Donald Trump, who used clips of Malema during a 2024 White House meeting to claim that white South Africans were under threat — a narrative widely discredited by experts.
Opposition Reaction
Members of opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the conviction. DA MP Ian Cameron stated:
“A man who fires live rounds at a political rally demonstrates exactly the kind of thuggery the EFF is prepared to unleash on South Africa.”
He added that the ruling underscores the need to confront the “culture of chaos, violence, and criminality” promoted by Malema’s leadership.
Next Steps: The court will reconvene in January 2026 for sentencing arguments, where Malema’s legal team is expected to appeal both the conviction and potential sentencing outcomes.