Zuko Komisa
- Malema was found guilty on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment.
- The state is pushing for a custodial sentence, while the defence argues for non-custodial measures.
- Malema has confirmed plans to challenge the verdict and sentence, potentially escalating to the Constitutional Court.
EFF leader Julius Malema is set to receive his sentence this Thursday, concluding a protracted eight-year legal battle.
The conviction stems from a 2018 rally in Mdantsane, where Malema was filmed discharging a semi-automatic rifle into the air.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the court heard final arguments regarding the appropriate punishment for the EFF leader.
The state argued that a custodial sentence actual prison time is necessary to reflect the gravity of discharging a weapon in a crowded, built-up area.
Conversely, the defence contended that a non-custodial sentence would be more fitting, maintaining that the incident did not warrant incarceration.
The charges date back to a 2018 political event where footage emerged of Malema firing a weapon in a public space.
The court subsequently convicted him on five charges, which include the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, alongside endangering those in attendance.
Despite the looming sentence, Malema remains defiant. He has reiterated his intention to appeal against both the guilty verdict and the subsequent sentence, indicating his team is prepared to take the matter to the Constitutional Court if required.
The high-profile nature of the case continues to draw significant public and political attention as the final judgment approaches.
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