In brief
Julius Malema, a prominent figure in South African politics and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of illegal firearm possession and discharging a weapon in public. The conviction stems from an incident in 2018. Malema plans to appeal the decision, which could disqualify him from his parliamentary position.
South African opposition politician Julius Malema has been sentenced to at least five years in prison after being found guilty of the illegal possession of a gun and firing it in public.
Malema's lawyer stated that an appeal against the decision will be lodged to prevent the Economic Freedom Fighters leader and member of parliament from being imprisoned.
In court, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Malema appeared stoic as the magistrate announced the sentence.
Last year, he was convicted on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm, discharging it in a public space, and reckless endangerment.
The charges relate to an incident in 2018 when a video surfaced showing Malema using a semi-automatic rifle to fire shots into the air during his party's fifth-anniversary celebrations in the Eastern Cape province.
A sentence of more than one year disqualifies him from being an MP, but this will not take effect until his appeal options have been fully explored.
