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

A South African court has sentenced radical left-wing opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in jail for firing a rifle into the air at a rally eight years ago.

Hundreds of red-clad supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader gathered outside in several centres across South Africa to follow the sentencing live in the politically charged case.

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.

Malema’s defence said the shots were only intended to be celebratory.

They are trying by all means to silence this voice. They will never win.

Malema told hundreds of supporters outside the court in the city of KuGompo, formerly East London, after he was released.

Accusing the magistrate of racism, he said: “We are fighting the enemy and the enemy is white supremacy.”

But Oliver insisted that “the decision to break the law has been made and it was made with the approval of the accused person and the leadership,” Olivier said.

Malema “knew that it may cause harm to others,” she added.