South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after a magistrate's court found him guilty of firing a rifle in the air at a rally.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, could significantly impact the political career of the 45-year-old.
Malema was convicted in 2025 on five charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place.
The charges stemmed from a 2018 incident at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province.
His lawyers immediately sought leave to appeal the decision, which was read out in a court in KuGompo City, formerly East London.
Should the sentence be upheld after all appeals, it would disqualify Malema from serving as a politician.
The outcome would represent a considerable setback for his far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, which commands strong support among young South Africans.
The EFF's base is often described as frustrated by the persistent racial inequality that has endured since the end of white minority rule in 1994.
The EFF currently stands as the fourth-largest party in the South African parliament.
Malema had pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
Bengali (Bangladesh) · 
English (United States) ·