SOUTH AFRICAN opposition party leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison today, after he was convicted of breaking firearm laws by firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018.

He was released pending his appeal, which will be heard at a later date.

If the verdict and sentence are upheld, Mr Malema, who leads the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters party, will be disqualified as a lawmaker. 

Mr Malema was convicted in October on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area and reckless endangerment.

Mr Malema addressed hundreds of his party supporters, popularly known as “fighters,” many of whom had travelled from other provinces to attend the sentencing. Clad in red party regalia, they chanted and sang before and after the sentence was delivered.

A defiant Mr Malema slammed the magistrate, claiming she had been biased against him throughout the case. 

“We were tried by a magistrate who doesn’t read, who uses emotions, who speaks politics. We are done with her, we are going to a higher court,” he said.

Mr Malema was charged alongside his bodyguard Anton Snyman, after the video of the incident went viral. Mr Snyman was found not guilty.