A South African court has sentenced Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema to five years in prison after convicting him on multiple firearm-related charges.

The ruling follows an October 2025 judgment that found Malema guilty on five counts linked to a July 2018 incident at a political rally in Mdantsane, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, reckless endangerment, and discharging a firearm in a public area.

The court rejected the defense argument that the gunfire was celebratory, ruling instead that the act was deliberate and in clear violation of firearm safety laws.

The presiding magistrate emphasized the seriousness of such conduct in a country grappling with gun violence, noting that firing a weapon in public poses significant risks to civilians, particularly when carried out by a public figure.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed fines totaling 60,000 rand, with additional jail time applicable in the event of non-payment.

Malema’s legal team has filed an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence, meaning the ruling will not be enforced until the legal process is completed.

If upheld, the conviction could have political consequences, as South African law disqualifies individuals sentenced to more than 12 months in prison from serving in parliament.

The case has sparked political debate, with the EFF describing the prosecution as politically motivated, while analysts say the outcome could affect both Malema’s future and the party’s leadership.