South African politician Julius Malema sentenced to 5 years for firing rifle shots at rally

JOHANNESBURG — South African opposition party leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of breaking firearm laws by firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018.

He was released pending an appeal, which will be heard at a later date.

If the verdict and sentence are upheld, Malema will be disqualified as a lawmaker. South African law bars anyone from serving in Parliament if they have been convicted of an offense and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine.

Malema, who leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, criticized the magistrate as biased against him, claiming the charges were politically motivated, while his bodyguard was found not guilty in the case.

They are trying by all means to silence this voice.

Magistrate Twanet Olivier said Malema, 45, had deliberately violated firearm laws by shooting a semi-automatic rifle in the air at an EFF rally in 2018. She allowed Malema to be released on a previous bail and pending an appeal against the sentence with another court.