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 convictions and five-year prison sentence, giving him another opportunity to challenge the outcome of his long-running firearm case.
The decision was handed down by the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda on Monday, 28 September 2026. Justices Tokota and Lowe found compelling reasons for the matter to be heard by a Full Bench of the High Court.
The development means Julius can now challenge both his conviction and sentence before a Full Bench of the Eastern Cape Division.
Malema was found guilty in October last year of five firearm-related offences arising from an incident in July 2018, when he fired a rifle into the air during the EFF’s 5th-anniversary celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
He was sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm, with concurrent sentences for the other offences.
The EFF leader remains out on warning while the appeal process continues.