A South African court has found Julius Malema, leader of the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), guilty of violating gun laws after he fired an assault rifle during a political rally in 2018.
Malema, 44, and his former bodyguard were accused of discharging the weapon into the air at the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebration in the Eastern Cape province.
On Wednesday, the court ruled that his actions amounted to unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment, and related offences, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.
The conviction carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The case has been adjourned until January 23, 2026, for pre-sentencing proceedings.
Malema, known for his fiery speeches and anti-capitalist rhetoric, was present in court when the judgment was delivered. Speaking defiantly to supporters outside the courtroom, he vowed to appeal.
“As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour. We cannot be scared of prison or dying for the revolution,” he declared.
This is not the first time Malema has faced controversy in court. In August, he was convicted of hate speech for remarks at a 2022 rally, where he urged supporters to “never be scared to kill.”
He has also drawn criticism for singing the apartheid-era struggle song “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer,” which many argue incites violence against South Africa’s white minority.
Despite mounting legal battles, Malema remains a polarising figure in South African politics, often praised by his supporters as a fearless voice for economic justice, while detractors accuse him of stoking division and unrest.
