A court in South Africa has sentenced opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in prison over a firearm-related offence stemming from a 2018 political rally, Peak Newspaper reports.
Malema, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted for unlawfully discharging a firearm during the event, a violation of the country’s gun control laws.
The ruling follows a prolonged legal process that drew national attention due to Malema’s high-profile political status and influence.
Supporters and critics have reacted strongly to the judgment, with some describing it as a necessary enforcement of the law, while others view it as politically significant.
The case has remained one of the most closely watched legal battles involving a major opposition figure in South Africa.
