South African politician Julius Malema sentenced to 5 years
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- South African opposition leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison for firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018 but was released pending an appeal.
- If the conviction and sentence stand, Malema will be disqualified from serving in Parliament under South African law, which prohibits lawmakers sentenced to over 12 months without a fine option.
- Malema was found guilty on five counts, including unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment; his bodyguard was acquitted.
- Malema and his supporters claim the charges are politically motivated, while the magistrate emphasized the seriousness of firearm offenses and the potential harm caused.
- Malema leads the Economic Freedom Fighters party, known for its controversial policies on land expropriation and nationalization, and remains a divisive figure in South African politics.
