South African leftist party leader Julius Malema jailed for five years on gun charges

Magistrate Twenette Ollivier scheduled sentencing for Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the East London Regional Court. The magistrate ruled that Malema, 45, knowingly breached firearms laws by firing into the air at an EFF rally in 2018.

Magistrate Ollivier said, “This… was not an impulsive act.” “It was an evening incident.” Hundreds of Malema's red-clad supporters gathered outside the court during his politically charged sentencing.

The state had pushed for a maximum prison sentence of 15 years after Malema pleaded guilty in October 2025 to multiple firearms-related charges, including illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public place and reckless endangerment. Malema's legal team argued that the shots were celebratory and indicated plans to appeal against the sentence.

The vocal opposition party EFF claims the case is politically motivated to silence its outspoken leader, who is known for his fiery rhetoric. Supporters have threatened to protest if Malema is jailed. However, the magistrate stressed that the sentence was against Malema as an individual, not as a party. “It is not a political party that is to blame here…it is an individual, an individual.”

The case was brought by the conservative civil rights group AfriForum, which has long criticized Malema, particularly over his use of the controversial “Kill the Boer” chant at rallies. Malema's defense team is expected to appeal.