South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of illegal possession of a firearm and discharging it in public.
The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters was convicted on multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, linked to a 2018 incident where he fired shots into the air during a party event in the Eastern Cape.
Malema showed little reaction as the sentence was delivered in court, while his legal team indicated plans to appeal the ruling in an effort to prevent his imprisonment. The sentence could also affect his position as a Member of Parliament.
In earlier remarks, Malema defended his actions, claiming the firearm was not his and stating he acted to energise supporters. He has since vowed to challenge the conviction at the Constitutional Court, maintaining that he will not back down despite the ruling.