Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been found guilty of violating South Africa’s gun laws after firing a weapon at a 2018 rally in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
The East London Magistrate’s Court delivered its verdict on Wednesday, with sentencing set for Jan. 23. Malema’s bail was extended, while his former bodyguard and co-accused, Adriaan Synman, was acquitted.
Malema faces disqualification from parliament if sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine and fails to overturn the ruling. He vowed to appeal, calling the charges “nonsense” and racially motivated.
The case arose from viral footage showing him shooting what appeared to be an automatic rifle. His defense argued it was a toy gun with blanks, a claim the court rejected. AfriForum, the group that initiated the case, welcomed the conviction on five charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Malema, whose EFF won 9.5% of the vote in last year’s election, has long been a controversial figure in South African politics.
