“EFF leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison.”

“magistrate Twanet Olivier lambasted the insinuation that the leader of the red berets discharged the firearm that landed him in hot water as a celebratory gesture.”

“Malema has been sentenced to five years for unlawful possession of a firearm, two years for unlawful possession of ammunition, R20,000 or six months imprisonment for unlawful discharge of a firearm, failure to take a reasonable precaution to avoid danger to a person or property, and reckless endangerment to a person or property.”

“All the other counts will run concurrently with the five-year sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm, effectively meaning he is sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment.”

“He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.”

“Malema, 45, president of the EFF, pleaded not guilty to charges related to discharging a firearm during the party’s birthday celebrations in 2018.”

“in January Malema was found guilty of five charges, including the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area and reckless endangerment.”

“The lengthy trial also saw an application for Olivier to recuse herself, with Malema arguing she had prejudged him. That application was also unsuccessful.”