Breaking News
light_mode
Trending Tags
Beranda » Headline » Julius Malema Found Guilty in Public Firearm Discharge Case

Julius Malema Found Guilty in Public Firearm Discharge Case

  • account_circle Muhammad Rizky
  • calendar_month Rab, 1 Okt 2025
  • visibility 26
  • comment 0 komentar

IDNtribune, Johannesburg – South African opposition politician and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has been found guilty in a case of public firearm discharge that occurred seven years ago. The verdict was delivered by magistrate Twanet Olivier after three days of hearings at the East London Regional Court, South Africa.

The case originated from a 2018 video showing Malema firing between 14 and 15 live rounds into the air during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebration in the Eastern Cape province, before a crowd of approximately 20,000 supporters. Malema was charged with five offences, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging it in a public space, and reckless endangerment. One of these charges carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

In his defense, Malema claimed the firearm was not his and that he had fired the shots merely to rouse the crowd. However, the court found him guilty as charged. The case has been postponed until January 2026 for pre-sentencing proceedings.

Despite the conviction, Malema appeared unfazed, declaring that imprisonment or even death was a “badge of honor” in his political struggle. He also vowed to appeal the judgment, even up to South Africa’s Constitutional Court.

The case has drawn significant attention due to Malema’s long history of controversy. Less than two months ago, he was convicted of hate speech after remarks deemed to incite violence against the white minority. Malema has openly called for the seizure of white-owned land and redistribution of wealth to South Africa’s black majority.

Legal proceedings against Malema began after Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum filed a complaint once the shooting video went viral. AfriForum had also lodged a hate speech case against him at the South African Human Rights Commission.

Malema’s controversy extends beyond South Africa. In 2018, then–U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted Malema’s speeches as “evidence” of genocide against South Africa’s white population—a claim that has been widely discredited. That same year, Malema was denied entry to the United Kingdom due to his support for Hamas and his controversial remarks about white South Africans.

Reacting to the verdict, Ian Cameron of the Democratic Alliance stated that Malema’s conviction was not only about his personal conduct but also about what he described as the culture of violence and disorder promoted by the EFF leadership.

Meanwhile, legal expert Ulrich Roux told the BBC that Malema faces a strong possibility of a prison sentence. He emphasized that Malema must provide compelling arguments to avoid the minimum sentence of 15 years. Under South African law, anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine is disqualified from serving as a member of parliament, although the constitution recognizes the sentence as final only after the entire appeal process is exhausted.

  • Penulis: Muhammad Rizky

Komentar (0)

Saat ini belum ada komentar

Silahkan tulis komentar Anda

Email Anda tidak akan dipublikasikan. Kolom yang bertanda bintang (*) wajib diisi

Rekomendasi Untuk Anda

  • Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Drs. H. Longki Djanggola, M.Si.

    Longki Djanggola: Data Manipulation in PPPK Recruitment Must Be Punished

    • calendar_month Rab, 27 Agu 2025
    • account_circle Muhammad Rizky
    • visibility 41
    • 0Komentar

    JAKARTA, IDNtribune.com – The North Morowali Police (Polres Morut) are currently conducting an investigation into the alleged existence of “ghost” honorary staff in the recruitment process of Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK) in the region. As part of the investigation, Polres Morut has sent official letters to several Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) requesting the […]

  • Rokok Elektrik / Vape.

    WHO: 15 Juta Remaja di Dunia Gunakan Rokok Elektrik

    • calendar_month Sel, 7 Okt 2025
    • account_circle Stenly Fischer
    • visibility 40
    • 0Komentar

    IDNtribune.com, Jenewa – Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO) memperkirakan sedikitnya 15 juta remaja berusia 13 hingga 15 tahun di seluruh dunia menggunakan rokok elektrik atau vape. Data WHO menunjukkan, remaja sembilan kali lebih mungkin menggunakan vape dibandingkan orang dewasa di negara-negara dengan data yang tersedia. Mengutip laporan Reuters, WHO mencatat lebih dari 100 juta orang kini menggunakan […]

  • Dozens of demonstrators from the Civil Society Coalition

    Activists Protest at Parliament, Demand End to Repression

    • calendar_month Sen, 6 Okt 2025
    • account_circle Moh. Fadli Ladjinta
    • visibility 46
    • 0Komentar

    IDNtribune.com, Jakarta – Dozens of demonstrators from the Civil Society Coalition, including students, labor unions, and environmental activists, staged a protest in front of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (October 6, 2025). The protesters voiced concern over the increasing repression faced by activists in recent months. According to the […]

  • Buah Durian Montong kini jadi komoditas andalan ekspor kabupaten Parigi Moutong

    Ekspor Durian Montong ke Tiongkok, Peluang Emas bagi Petani Parigi Moutong

    • calendar_month Rab, 8 Okt 2025
    • account_circle Muhammad Rizky
    • visibility 79
    • 0Komentar

    IDNtribune.com, Business – Kesepakatan Protokol Ekspor Durian Beku antara Badan Karantina Indonesia dan General Administration of Customs China (GACC), yang ditandatangani oleh Presiden Republik Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, bersama Perdana Menteri Republik Rakyat Tiongkok, Li, menandai babak baru dalam perdagangan hortikultura nasional. Akses resmi ekspor durian beku ke pasar Tiongkok bukan hanya capaian diplomatik yang strategis, […]

  • Balia Dance, a Healing Ritual of the Kaili Tribe

    Balia Dance: The Healing Ritual of the Kaili Tribe

    • calendar_month Sab, 21 Jun 2025
    • account_circle Stenly Fischer
    • visibility 37
    • 0Komentar

    IDNtribune.com, Palu – Central Sulawesi is the largest province on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its indigenous population consists of 15 ethnic groups, the largest of which is the Kaili tribe, whose members inhabit much of the province, including the regions of Donggala, Sigi, Palu, Parigi Moutong, Tojo Una-Una, Poso, Tomini Bay, and the coastal […]

  • Kadidiri Island

    The Charm of Kadidiri Island, One of the Tourist Destinations in the Togian Islands

    • calendar_month Sel, 7 Okt 2025
    • account_circle Muhammad Rizky
    • visibility 13
    • 0Komentar

    IDNtribune.com, Touna – If you visit the Togian Islands National Park, don’t forget to stop by one of its main tourist destinations — Kadidiri Island. Kadidiri Island is located in Tomini Bay, Central Sulawesi, and is part of the Togian Islands National Park. The island features clean white sand and crystal-blue seawater. It is home to […]

expand_less