South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been convicted of multiple firearms-related offences, including unlawful possession and firing a weapon in public—charges that carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years behind bars.

The case stems from a 2018 incident where Malema, head of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was filmed discharging a semi-automatic rifle during the party’s fifth-anniversary celebration in the Eastern Cape. The footage showed him firing several live rounds into the air before thousands of supporters.

Malema was tried alongside his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, who was later cleared of all charges. According to SowetanLIVE, prosecutors alleged that Malema fired up to 15 shots on stage before a crowd of 20,000 people.

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In court, Malema denied ownership of the firearm and argued that the act was intended to excite supporters rather than cause harm. Nevertheless, he was convicted on five counts, including possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, reckless endangerment, and discharging a weapon in a public space under South Africa’s Firearms Control Act.

This ruling comes just weeks after Malema was found guilty of hate speech, a conviction that further deepens his controversial political profile. Known for his sharp criticism of South Africa’s white minority, Malema has consistently advocated for the expropriation of white-owned land and broader redistribution of wealth to the Black majority.

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Reacting to the judgement, Malema vowed to challenge it on appeal, framing the case as racially motivated.
"We are not fighting the case; we are fighting racism. Pure racism that we have been subjected to for the past seven years," he said.

Despite the looming sentencing hearing in January, Malema insisted he remains undeterred.
"As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour. We cannot be scared of going to prison or dying for the revolution," he declared.

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Under South African law, any politician sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine is barred from serving in parliament. However, such disqualification only takes effect after all appeal processes have been concluded, and it lapses five years after the sentence is served.