South African politician and leader of opposition party the EFF, Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison. This sentencing follows after he was found guilty of discharging a firearm in Mdantsane in 2018.
The sentencing has received mixed reviews from the public as well as political figures. However, Malema and his legal team are set to appeal the sentencing at a higher court. He remains out on warning until the appeal is concluded.
Malema was sentenced as follows:
Five years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm without holding a licence, permit or authorisation;
Two years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of ammunition without authorisation to do so;
Six months’ imprisonment or a R20,000 fine for the unlawful discharge of a firearm in a built-up area or any other place;
Six months’ imprisonment or a R20,000 fine for the unlawful failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger where it created a safety risk to the general public; and
Six months’ imprisonment or a R20,000 fine for reckless endangerment for unlawfully discharging or otherwise handling a firearm in a manner likely to injure or endanger the safety of the general public.
The sentences will run concurrently for an effective five years’ direct imprisonment.
Malema’s legal team applied for leave to appeal against both the conviction and sentence. Magistrate Olivier denied them leave to appeal against the conviction, but granted leave to appeal against the sentence.
Malema will also keep his seat in parliament for now, until the appeal is finalised.
Image: Mark Andrews
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