A South African court has sentenced Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to five years in prison after finding him guilty over the discharge of a firearm during a political rally eight years ago.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Magistrate Twanet Olivier, who held that Malema had intentionally breached firearm regulations when he fired an assault rifle into the air at an EFF celebration event in 2018.
The high-profile judgment drew a large crowd outside the East London Regional Court, where hundreds of supporters dressed in the party’s signature red gathered in solidarity with their leader amid the politically sensitive proceedings.
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The case, which has lingered for years, centres on allegations that the opposition figure unlawfully handled and discharged a weapon in a public space during party festivities.
Following the sentencing, authorities are expected to determine the next steps regarding his custody and possible appeal.
Further details are expected as the situation develops.