Julius Malema, South African MP, Convicted of Illegal Firearm Discharge
Julius Malema, a prominent and often controversial South African opposition politician and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been found guilty of discharging a firearm in public. The conviction stems from a 2018 incident where he was filmed firing what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle during an EFF celebration in the Eastern Cape province. This incident and conviction occur within a context of heightened racial tensions in South Africa, 31 years after the end of apartheid.
The Charges and Conviction
Malema was convicted of multiple offenses, including the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public space, and reckless endangerment. These offenses fall under South Africa's Firearms Control Act and carry a potential minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. The charges relate to an incident at the EFF's fifth-anniversary celebration where Malema allegedly fired between 14 and 15 live rounds in front of approximately 20,000 supporters, according to SowetanLIVE.
Malema's Defense and Reaction
During the trial, Malema claimed that the firearm was not his and that he fired the shots to "rouse the crowd." Despite this defense, magistrate Twanet Olivier found him guilty as charged. The pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 2026. In response to the conviction, Malema remained defiant, stating that "going to prison or death is a badge of honour" and vowed to challenge the judgment, potentially up to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
Controversies and Context
Malema's prosecution followed a case opened by AfriForum, an Afrikaner lobby group with a contentious history with Malema and the EFF, after a video of the incident went viral. AfriForum also filed a hate speech complaint against Malema at the South African Human Rights Commission, leading to his conviction by the country's equality court in August of this year. He has also been involved in other controversies, including remarks about white people that were deemed to incite harm.
International Implications and Reactions
Malema's influence and controversies extend beyond South Africa. Former US President Donald Trump used a video of Malema during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to support claims of genocide against white Afrikaners, claims that have been widely discredited. The UK Home Office also denied Malema entry into the UK due to his support for Hamas and comments regarding white people in South Africa, deeming him "non-conducive to the public good." Ian Cameron, from the Democratic Alliance, welcomed the conviction, condemning what he described as the "culture of chaos, violence and criminality" that Malema promotes.
Legal Perspectives and Potential Outcomes
Legal expert Ulrich Roux told the BBC that there is a "good chance" Malema could face imprisonment. He must now present evidence to mitigate the potential minimum sentence of 15 years. Under South African law, a prison sentence exceeding 12 months without the option of a fine would disqualify an individual from serving as an MP, although this only applies once the appeal process is exhausted and ends five years after the sentence has been completed.
