BREAKING: High Court Delivers Shock Verdict On Julius Malema’s 5-Year Prison Sentence

high court grants julius malema leave to appeal firearm convictions and five-year sentence

MAKHANDA, SOUTH AFRICA — Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has been granted leave to appeal his firearm-related convictions and effective five-year prison sentence, opening the way for the matter to be reconsidered by a Full Bench of the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda.

The order, issued by Judges Bantubonke Tokota and Murray Lowe on 28 September 2026, followed Malema’s petition after the KuGompo Regional Court previously refused him leave to appeal his convictions. The High Court found “compelling reasons” for the matter to be considered by a Full Bench.

The latest development relates to a case stemming from the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in July 2018. Malema was convicted in October 2025 on five firearm-related charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, failure to take reasonable precautions and reckless endangerment.

In April 2026, Magistrate Twanet Olivier sentenced Malema to five years’ direct imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm. He also received a two-year sentence for unlawful possession of ammunition and additional penalties on the remaining charges, with the sentences running concurrently. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The magistrate had previously granted Malema permission to appeal his sentence but refused leave to appeal the convictions. His legal team subsequently approached the High Court, seeking permission to challenge the guilty findings.

Malema has consistently disputed the allegations. During the trial, he maintained that the firearm involved was a toy or prop loaded with blanks and argued that his actions had not endangered anyone. The lower court rejected that version when convicting him.

The High Court’s latest decision does not amount to an acquittal and does not overturn the existing convictions. Instead, it allows Malema to formally challenge those convictions before a Full Bench.

Malema also remains out on warning while the appeal process continues. The National Prosecuting Authority previously confirmed that the State opposed the defence’s applications for leave to appeal.

The upcoming appeal will therefore be closely watched as the Full Bench considers the legal challenge to the convictions and the sentence that has placed the EFF leader at the centre of a lengthy firearm-related court battle.

Source https://x.com/i/status/2105225903491953124

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