Malema granted leave to appeal conviction in firearm discharge case

EFF leader Julius Malema has been granted leave to appeal his conviction and five-year sentence in his firearm case.

The Eastern Cape High Court has granted Julius Malema leave to appeal his conviction in a firearm-discharge case.

The case stems from a viral video of Malema firing shots into the air at the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in July 2018.

The NPA says it will oppose the appeal, maintaining the KuGompo Regional Court was correct in both the conviction and sentence.

EFF leader Julius Malema has been granted leave to appeal his conviction for his firearms case.

This after he petitioned the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda to appeal the finding of the KuGompo Regional Court.

In previous proceedings, Malema’s legal team filed an application to appeal Magistrate Twanet Olivier’s finding against the EFF politician.

But Olivier refused to grant Malema his bid to appeal his conviction.

Olivier said in April: In respect of sentence, there is always a possibility that another court may come to a different conclusion.

In an order on Monday, Judges Bantubonke Tokota and Murray Lowe ruled in favour of Malema’s petition.

On Tuesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would oppose Malema’s appeal.

Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali told News24: We maintain that the Regional Court was correct in both the conviction and sentence. So, we will oppose the appeal.

Malema was convicted of the firearm-related charges in October last year.