State seeks 15-year jail sentence for Julius Malema
· The South African
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), says prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence in his firearm discharge case as sentencing proceedings approach.
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Malema is expected to return to the East London Magistrate’s Court next week, where the court will determine his sentence following his conviction on several firearm-related charges.
Conviction linked to 2018 rally
The case stems from an incident during the EFF’s fifth-anniversary rally in 2018 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, where Julius Malema was filmed firing a rifle into the air in front of a large crowd of supporters.
In October last year, Magistrate Twanet Olivier found him guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm, as well as charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and reckless endangerment.
Malema claims state ‘going for the kill’
Speaking to the media in Johannesburg on Thursday, Julius Malema said the state was pushing for the maximum possible punishment.
“The state is going for the kill, they want a 15-year jail term and we are prepared legally. We will see next week but they are going for the kill,” he said.
Malema is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday and Thursday next week for sentencing proceedings.
Appeal process underway
Despite the conviction, Malema has indicated that he intends to challenge the ruling and is pursuing an appeal.
He maintains that the outcome of the case is flawed and suggested there are efforts aimed at seeing him imprisoned.
The case has drawn significant public attention since the incident occurred at the rally in 2018.
With sentencing proceedings now imminent, the court’s decision will determine the legal consequences for one of South Africa’s most prominent political figures.
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