The East London Magistrates’ Court has today found Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema guilty on multiple charges relating to firearm offences.
The charges include unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area or public place, and reckless endangerment of people or property.
The ruling, delivered this morning, stems from a high-profile 2018 incident during the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Malema unlawfully fired a firearm into the air while addressing thousands of supporters at the packed stadium.
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During the trial, state witnesses testified that Malema’s actions were not only illegal but also posed a serious risk to public safety.
Videos of the incident, widely circulated on social media at the time, were admitted as evidence. The prosecution maintained that the discharge of the firearm could have caused chaos and potential injuries in the crowd.
In his defense, Malema denied the charges, claiming political persecution and insisting that the firearm in question did not belong to him.
However, the court ruled that the evidence presented by the state was overwhelming and left no reasonable doubt about his involvement.
The guilty verdict marks a significant development in South Africa’s political landscape, with Malema being one of the most vocal and controversial figures in the country’s opposition politics.
The EFF leader is now awaiting sentencing, which is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.
Legal analysts say the ruling could have far-reaching implications for Malema’s political career, depending on the severity of the sentence imposed.
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