Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison by the KuGompo City Magistrates Court in the Eastern Cape, following his conviction on five counts related to the Firearms Control Act.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier found Malema guilty on all five counts (eNCA) after he fired a rifle into the air in front of thousands of supporters at a rally in Mdantsane in 2018. (EWN)
On Count 1, Malema received five years imprisonment. Count 2 attracted a two-year term, while Counts 3, 4, and 5 each carried fines of R20,000 or six months imprisonment.
All sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Malema will effectively serve five years.
A custodial sentence disqualifies him from serving as a Member of Parliament for five years, (EWN) dealing a blow to both Malema and the party he leads.
Malema has maintained that he will challenge and appeal aspects of the court’s findings, regardless of whether the sentence is custodial or not.
By Canaan Siame
