KUGOMPO CITY, Eastern Cape – A Magistrate’s Court in KuGompo City (East London) has sentenced Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to an effective five years imprisonment following his conviction on firearm-related charges.
The sentencing stems from an incident in which Malema discharged a firearm during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Mdantsane in 2018.
Delivering the ruling, the magistrate addressed the accused directly, stating: “You may please stand up. Not the court.” After a brief clarification, the magistrate continued: “After careful consideration and I can assure you I have done so free of any interference, this judgment or sentence is sentence of this court and this court alone.”
On count one, Malema was sentenced to five years imprisonment. On count two, he received two years imprisonment. On counts three, four, and five, he was ordered to pay a fine of 20,000 rand per count or undergo six months imprisonment on each.
The magistrate then ordered, “In terms of section 280 subsection 2 of act 51 of 1977, the court orders that the sentence imposed in respect of counts 2, 3, four, and five run concurrent with the sentence imposed in respect of count one.”
The effective sentence is therefore five years imprisonment. The magistrate concluded by telling the EFF leader: “You may be seated. Thank you.”
