Cape Town – EFF leader Julius Malema has been found guilty on five firearm-related charges stemming from a 2018 incident during an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rally in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier concluded on Wednesday that Malema unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition, discharged a firearm in a public place, and acted recklessly, endangering public safety.
His former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, was acquitted of related charges.
Malema himself has publicly addressed the verdict. Following the court’s decision, Malema declared the guilty verdict a “badge of honour” and vowed to appeal the decision up to the Constitutional Court. He emphasised his commitment to the EFF’s revolutionary ideals, stating, “As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour.
“We cannot be scared of prison, we cannot be scared to die for the revolution.”
Malema described the ruling as politically motivated and an attempt to discredit the EFF and its leadership.
🔥🔥🔥Timpakgolo Julius Malema Full Speech‼️
“As a Revolutionary going to prison or death is a batch of honor! We cannot be scared of Prison We Cannot be scared to die for the Revolution”
Fighters WayeShilo Timpakgolo, Do Not Take this Nonsensical Judgement To Heart…it’s… pic.twitter.com/vaowdhOvdZ
— 🇿🇦 Apostle Dr D Mekgwe🇹🇼 (@ApostleDeza) October 1, 2025
The charges stem from a 2018 incident during an EFF rally in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, where Malema was filmed firing an assault rifle into the air.
The court found that Malema unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition, discharged a firearm in a public place, and acted recklessly, endangering public safety.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 23, 2026.
If sentenced to more than a year in prison, Malema could be disqualified from holding a seat in Parliament, as stipulated by South Africa’s Constitution.
The EFF Statement on Judgement Against CIC Malema on Firearm Trial
-It is no surprise that the state has pursued this matter to this point, for there have always been coordinated attempts to discredit and sabotage the EFF and its leadership. From the moment CIC Malema and the… pic.twitter.com/FRsGdbCe46
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 1, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
