The EFF leader was found guilty on five charges and of contravening the Firearms Control Act on Wednesday (1/10), but his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, was found not guilty. Magistrate Twanette Olivier spent three days reading page after page of her lengthy verdict, but on Wednesday (1/10), she finally concluded. 

The matter has been postponed to Monday, 23 January, for the presentencing reports. It is not guaranteed that the sentence will be pronounced on the same day, depending on what Malema and his legal representatives present before the court.

“The DA welcomes the judgment of Julius Malema guilty of discharging a firearm in public without lawful cause,” said DA police spokesperson Ian Cameron. “Today’s conviction confirms what was always obvious: Malema recklessly fired a gun into the air in front of thousands of supporters.

“This case is not simply about Malema’s conduct, but also about the culture of chaos, violence, and criminality that the leader of the EFF embodies and promotes. This reckless act was cheered on and excused by those who insisted it was a fake gun.

“Their deliberate lies were an attempt to shield a politician from accountability and to normalise lawlessness. South Africa’s firearm laws are clear and apply equally to all.”

The criminal charges were laid by AfriForum against Malema in August 2018 after he fired several shots with a firearm during the EFF’s fifth birthday celebration held on 28 July 2018 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane outside East London.

Malema spoke outside the court and said he appreciated that Snyman was let free, as he believes he (Malema) is the catch. He further added that after the sentencing, they will immediately appeal the matter so they can take it up with a higher court. He described the judgment as faulty.

“The strategy has always been you must try to charge Malema with everything; one day, maybe we’ll find a racist judge who will find him guilty, whether he is guilty or not, because accused number two gave me the firearm, now they are releasing him.

"By releasing accused number two, the whole case should have collapsed, but the racist was looking for me, and that’s why they could not collapse the case.

‘The evidence overwhelmingly proved that Malema committed several serious offences’

“For racist reasons – to appease AfriForum, to appease the Oval Office of Donald Trump, to appease all the white supremacists in South Africa who seek to undermine the dignity and struggle of black people,” he said.

AfriForum also welcomed the ruling. “Justice has finally been served, despite years of delays and irregularities in this case. AfriForum also views this ruling as a major victory in the organisation’s fight to ensure that no one is above the law,” said community safety spokesperson Jacques Broodryk.

“The evidence overwhelmingly proved that Malema committed several serious offences under the Firearms Control Act, and the verdict confirms that those who think they are untouchable will eventually be held accountable, no matter how long it takes.”

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