As of October 1, 2025, South African politician Julius Malema has been found guilty by the East London Magistrate’s Court on multiple firearm-related charges. The charges stem from an incident at a 2018 EFF rally where a video showed him firing a rifle into the air. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 23, 2026. Malema’s co-accused and former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, was found not guilty and discharged on the charges he faced.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier convicted Malema on five charges under the Firearms Control Act, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment.
Malema’s legal team had claimed he was using a toy gun firing blanks, but the court rejected this argument.
Malema could face a minimum of 15 years in prison for the most serious charge of illegal possession of a firearm. If sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine and a subsequent appeal fails, Malema could be disqualified from serving in the National Assembly.
The pre-sentencing hearing has been set for January 23, 2026, to allow for pre-sentencing reports to be completed. The ruling is Malema’s second conviction in less than two months. In August 2025, he was also found guilty of hate speech by the Equality Court.
