![Julius Malema, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader stands in the dock during a hearing in court, in East London, South Africa, Wednesday, April 15, 2026 [AP]](https://africapublicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AP26105572556156-1776330821-696x464.webp "Julius Malema, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader stands in the dock during a hearing in court, in East London, South Africa, Wednesday, April 15, 2026 [AP]")
Source: Africa Publicity
South African opposition leader, Julius Malema, has been handed a five-year jail term for firing a gun.
Malema had been standing trial for firing a gun in the air at a party rally.
On Thursday, Magistrate Twanet Olivier sentenced Malema, the leader of the far-left opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Malema was convicted in 2025 of charges including unlawful possession of a gun and discharging a weapon in a public place over the 2018 incident that happened at a stadium in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.
He pleaded not guilty, claiming the gun was a toy. His lawyers are pushing to file an appeal.
