JOHANNESBURG - Julius Malema is slamming the Magistrate Twanet Olivier who sentenced him to five years in jail.
But legal expert Mpumelelo Zikalala says she handled the case well.
Malema has also criticised state prosecutors.
Zikalala says there is significant pressure on those presiding over prominent cases.
"As a presiding officer, I think she did quite well," Zikalala said.
"It's not easy to manage the public interest, the media attention which is going to be there while being able to handle your work. It's like being watched by the world while you continue to do your work on a daily basis."
However, ZikaIala said he may differ on Olivier based on her decision, merits and also on the sentence, but there's another side issue.
EXPLAINER | Why Malema is sleeping in his bed and not in prison
"That's where she will need to come and defend herself when this appeal is taking place to say on what basis did we arrive at the decision of finding Malema guilty, but most importantly, on what basis did we then come back and say this would be the appropriate sentence for him."
After the sentencing, Malema has taken aim at Olivier for failing to engage the heads of arguments before her.
At the centre of his criticism was the allegation that the Olivier appeared to have been unaware that the firearm which he used was handed back to the owner.