Malema sentenced to five years for firearm conviction

By Des Erasmus

East London Magistrate Twanet Olivier on Thursday sentenced EFF leader Julius Malema to five years in prison for firing a semi-automatic rifle into the air at the party’s 2018 anniversary rally in Mdantsane.

Malema was convicted last year of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, failure to take reasonable precautions and reckless endangerment.

Said Olivier: “In respect of count one, you are sentenced to a period of five years’ imprisonment. In respect of count two, you are sentenced to a period of two years imprisonment.

“In respect of count three, you are sentenced to R20,000 or to undergo six months imprisonment.

“In respect of count four, you are sentenced to R20,000 or to undergo six months imprisonment.

“In respect of count five, you are sentenced to pay a fine of R20,000 or to undergo six months’ imprisonment.”