EAST LONDON – EFF leader Julius Malema stands his ground.
After being found guilty of violating the Firearms Control Act when he discharged a rifle in public in 2018 by the East London Magistrate’s Court, Malema stood firm in the face of the judgment.
READ | Discussion | Judgment in Malema gun trial handed down
He’s told his supporters outside court that neither prison nor death would sway him from the party’s revolutionary course.
“As revolutionaries, going to prison or even death is a badge of honour. We cannot be scared of prison, we cannot be scared to die for the revolution,” he says.
He adds that whatever sentence will be imposed, he plans to appeal it, urging his supporters not to be deterred
“We are highly determined. We will fight this until the Constitutional Court. We are coming back on 23 January for pre-sentencing, and after sentencing, we will appeal because we believe this judgment is faulty,' he says.
Earlier, Magistrate Twannette Olivier found Malema guilty of reckless endangerment for discharging a firearm in public.
Judgment was handed down after a marathon recap of testimonies by the magistrate.
Malema's former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, has been acquitted of all charges.
The two men were accused of firing a rifle at a 2018 rally in Mdantsane and charged with violating the Firearms Control Act.
The matter has been postponed to 23 January 2026 for pre-sentencing hearings.