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

South African opposition party leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of breaking firearm laws.

Delivering the sentence, Magistrate Twanet Olivier said she considered the magnitude of the offense when she determined his sentence.

The fiery lawmaker, who leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, was charged alongside his bodyguard Anton Snyman, after the video of the incident went viral.

Malema was convicted in October on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place.