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

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African opposition party leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of breaking firearm laws by firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018.

Malema, 45, fired the gun at the rally in 2018 celebrating the fifth anniversary of the party in KuGompo City, then known as East London.

Malema told the court the gun didn’t belong to him and that he had fired the shots to energize the crowd.

It wasn’t … an impulsive act … It wasn’t anger. It was the event of the evening.

Magistrate Twanet Oliver said during sentencing. Malema was found guilty on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area and reckless endangerment. He has been released pending an appeal.