Julius Malema Five-Year Prison Case Takes New Turn After High Court Decision

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has been granted permission by the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda to appeal his firearm-related convictions, allowing his legal challenge to proceed before a full bench of the High Court.

The order, dated September 28, 2026, was issued by Judges Bantubonke Tokota and Murray Lowe after they considered Malema’s petition and the record of proceedings. The judges found compelling reasons for the appeal to be heard.

The case stems from an incident at the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on July 28, 2018. Malema was accused of firing a rifle into the air during the event, an incident that was captured on video.

In October 2025, he was convicted on five firearm-related charges. These included unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent danger to people or property, and reckless endangerment.

Malema denied the allegations during the trial and maintained that the firearm involved was a toy or prop rather than a functioning weapon containing live ammunition. The trial court rejected his version and found him guilty.

In April 2026, Magistrate Twanet Olivier sentenced Malema to an effective five years’ direct imprisonment. He received five years for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years for unlawful possession of ammunition, while the remaining offences attracted additional penalties that were ordered to run concurrently. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The regional court had previously granted Malema permission to appeal his sentence but refused his application to appeal the convictions. He subsequently approached the Makhanda High Court to challenge that decision.

The latest ruling means Malema can now take his challenge against the convictions before a full bench. However, the granting of leave to appeal does not overturn the convictions or determine the final outcome. It simply allows the appellate process to proceed.

Malema remains out on warning while the legal proceedings continue.

https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2104880471020576896

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