South African court sentences opposition leader, Malema to 5-years imprisonment
News South African court sentences opposition leader, Malema to 5-years imprisonment Published on April 16, 2026 By Matthew Atungwu googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1500386953281-8'); }); South African radical opposition leader, Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for firing an assault rifle at a rally eight years ago. Scores of red-clad supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF, party leader gathered outside the court for the sentencing in the politically charged case. According to magistrate Twanet Olivier, the opposition leaders had deliberately violated firearm laws by shooting a gun in the air at an EFF celebration in 2018. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1524595905268-5'); }); DAILY POST reports that Malema, born 3 March 1981, is a South African politician, founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF. He is a communist and nationalist. Don't Miss BREAKING: Police foil attempt to bomb govt facilities in Ondo, nab six You may like One dies, five missing as Nigerian tugboat sinks off South African coast South African authorities arraign three suspects over murder of Plateau student Nigerian, South African accomplice bag 37-year jail term for drug trafficking Transfer: South African club TS Galaxy unveil Super Eagles goalkeeper US revokes visas of South African, other foreign nationals over comments on Charlie Kirk Transfer: Bankole joins South African club TS Galaxy