South African politician Julius Malema given five-year jail term for gun offence | South Africa

South African left-wing politician Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison for firing a rifle into the air at a political rally in 2018.

Lawyers for the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, South Africa’s fourth largest political party, immediately sought leave to appeal. Legal discussions continue.

Malema was convicted last year on charges including illegal possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place, following an incident at the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in KuGompo City, formerly known as East London.

Dozens of red-shirted EFF supporters gathered outside the magistrates’ court in KuGompo City, where judge Twanet Oliver handed down the sentence.

Malema, 45, the son of a domestic worker, founded the EFF in 2013 after being expelled from the ruling African National Congress over “october division”.

The EFF is famous for its disruptive parliamentary protests and describes itself as anti-imperialist and inspired by Marxism.

More details coming soon…