EFF leader Julius Malema at the East London Magistrate's Court earlier today. Image credit: EWN
(The Post News) – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years direct imprisonment for firearm case.
Malema appeared at the East London Magistrate’s Court in KuGompo City, formerly East London in the Eastern Cape for his firearm case today. His sentencing comes after he was found guilty of contravening the firearm law. Malema fired gun shots during an event held by his party at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdansane, Eastern Cape in 2018.
Malema was convicted for five counts including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging it in public, reckless endangerment, and failing to take precautions by Magistrate Twanet Olivier in January this year.
Malema has previously told ENCA that he was confident with this firearm case. He announced his plans to appeal to the High Court after the Magistrate’s Court. “If anything goes wrong there is still a recourse. It is still going to be a long way to go. It is not something that should give people palpitations. It is a due process,” he said.
Breakdown of Malema’s Judgement
- Unlawful possession of firearm – five years
- Unlawful possession of ammunition – Two years
- Count three- six months in jain or R20 000
- Count four- six months in jain or R20 000
- Count five – six months in jain or R20 000
These sentences will run concurrently.
EFF Gauteng Chairperson Nkululeko Dunga expressed appreciation over EFF members’ high level of discipline. Dunga was addressing the members who gathered outside the Gauteng High Court in solidarity with Malema during the court proceedings. “The system wanted to provoke us by sending our president to jail, and they didn’t get what they wanted,” said Dunga.
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