Malema granted leave to appeal firearm conviction

The Makhanda High Court has granted EFF leader Julius Malema leave to appeal a five-year firearm conviction.

In April, Malema was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and a concurrent two-year sentence for a lesser charge by the Kugompo City Magistrates’ Court.

Shortly thereafter, Malema was granted leave to appeal the direct imprisonment sentence, but the court denied leave to appeal the conviction.

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

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.

The latest ruling means the convictions will now be considered by a full bench of the Makhanda High Court.