By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Sello Malema has been convicted in the firearm discharge case by the Eastern London Magistrate Court.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier delivered her judgement on Wednesday morning.
Malema was convicted of five offences, including the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging it in a public space and reckless endangerment. These offences fall under the Firearms Control Act and carry a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Malema and former bodyguard Adriaan Snyman are alleged to have fired shots from an assault rifle during the party’s fifth birthday celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.
However Snyman, co-accused in the case, was acquitted.
It took three days for magistrate Olivier to tell Malema “you are found guilty as charged”.
Malema seemed unfazed by his conviction, telling supporters that “going to prison or death is a badge of honour”.
He said, he will appeal the case because the judgment was flawed, and described the charges as “nonsense” and racially motivated. The process of appealing court judgments can take years to conclude.
The matter has been postponed to 23 January 2026 for pre-sentencing and bail has been extended.
The outcome could impact Malema’s political standing, especially amid ongoing scrutiny of his leadership and the EFF’s role in local politics.
A conviction could bar Malema from public office under South Africa’s electoral laws, which disqualify those sentenced to over 12 months’ imprisonment without a fine option.
Afriforum, a White Afrikaner rights group that filed the case against Malema in 2018, welcomed the ruling, which saw Malema convicted on a total of five charges, including discharging a weapon in a built-up area and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
“The evidence overwhelmingly proved that Malema committed several serious offenses,” said Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for community safety. “The verdict confirms that those who think they are untouchable will eventually be held accountable, no matter how long it takes.”