EFF Leader Julius Malema Sentenced to Direct Imprisonment In Firearms Case
All eyes have been on the KuGombo Regional Court, and the sentence has been passed by Magistrate Twanet Olivier. Founder and Commander-In-Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Sello Malema has finally learned his fate, with the court handing him a five-year sentence of direct imprisonment for the first count and an additional two years for the secondary count.
The CIC of the Red Berets was also issued a R20 000 fine for the remaining three counts, bringing the total of money due to R60 000. Alternatively, Malema was given the option of doing six months of jail time for each one of the last three counts if the fines couldn’t be paid.
Malema was found guilty last year of all counts, with the first and second counts being that of unlawful possession of a firearm and the unlawful possession of ammunition, respectively.
Julius Malema on his way to court | SUPPLIED
The third count was for discharging of a firearm in a built-up area or a public space. The fourth was for the reckless endangerment of people and property and the fifth (shared with co-accused Adrian Snyman, the owner of a security company linked to the rifle Malema fired) was for failure to take responsible precautions to avoid danger to person or property.
All sentences passed for each count have been ordered to run concurrently.
The firearm case came to life after a 2018 incident at the EFF’s Birthday Rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, where Malema fired the assault rifle in the air amid the celebrations.
Julius Malema | SUPPLIED
The State had initially pushed for the EFF leader to spend a minimum of 15 years behind the bars.
Malema and his team will be appealing the court’s decision. Should the appeal be unsuccessful, Malema will not only have to do jail time, he will also automatically forfeit his position as Member of Parliament.