High Court gives Juju permission to appeal firearm conviction

The Makhanda High Court has granted Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema leave to appeal his firearm conviction, a significant development in his ongoing legal battle.

In April, Malema was sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment by the KuGompo Regional Court for the unlawful possession of a firearm. While he was initially granted leave to appeal the sentence, his application to appeal the conviction itself was previously denied by the lower court.

The High Court’s latest ruling follows a petition by Malema’s legal team, which argued that there were compelling grounds to challenge the original conviction. The court found merit in these arguments, clearing the way for the matter to be heard by a full bench of the High Court.

The High Court has granted Malema leave to appeal his convictions after finding compelling reasons for the application.

Malema was found guilty of contravening the Firearms Control Act after he was filmed discharging an automatic rifle in a public, built-up area during the EFF’s 5th birthday celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018. The conviction and subsequent sentencing had raised questions regarding his eligibility to remain a Member of Parliament.

The EFF leader remains out on warning while the appeal process continues. The decision to allow the appeal of the conviction provides a potential lifeline for Malema as he seeks to overturn the guilty verdict that led to his five-year prison sentence.