South Africa’s political landscape took a dramatic turn on October 1, 2025, as Julius Malema, the outspoken leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was found guilty of breaking firearm laws. The verdict, handed down by Magistrate Twanet Olivier at the East London Magistrates Court, stems from a high-profile 2018 incident in which Malema was filmed firing a rifle at a political rally in the Eastern Cape. The footage, which quickly went viral after the rally, has haunted Malema for years and now threatens to reshape his political future.
The case against Malema, one of South Africa’s most polarizing politicians, centered on whether he had contravened the Firearms Control Act. The prosecution argued that Malema had fired a real firearm in public, an act strictly prohibited by law. Malema’s defense, on the other hand, maintained that the rifle was merely a toy gun—a claim Magistrate Olivier flatly rejected. According to AP and OkayAfrica, Olivier dismissed the toy gun defense, finding Malema guilty of the charges.
Malema’s then-bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, was also charged in connection with the incident, accused of handing the rifle to Malema. However, in a twist that further fueled controversy, Snyman was acquitted. The magistrate’s decision to clear Snyman while convicting Malema did not go unnoticed. Outside the courthouse, Malema denounced the ruling as racially motivated, declaring, “This proves the magistrate was racist, because Snyman is white.” He vowed to challenge the verdict, stating his intention to appeal all the way to the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s highest judicial authority.
The incident that led to Malema’s conviction took place during the EFF’s five-year anniversary celebration in the Eastern Cape in 2018. The video of Malema firing the rifle—whether real or imitation—was widely circulated and drew swift condemnation, particularly from Afriforum, an Afrikaner lobby group. Afriforum quickly brought criminal charges against Malema, adding fuel to an already volatile political fire.
Malema’s legal team argued that the prosecution had failed to prove the weapon’s authenticity, insisting it was a toy. But Magistrate Olivier was unconvinced. The court found that Malema had indeed fired a real rifle in public, a violation of the Firearms Control Act. The verdict means Malema could face up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 23, 2026. However, as there is no minimum sentence prescribed for the offense, the magistrate has significant discretion, and a lighter penalty remains possible.
The fallout from the conviction has been immediate and intense. Malema, who founded the EFF in 2013 after being expelled from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has built his political brand on fiery rhetoric and radical policy proposals. The EFF, now South Africa’s fourth-largest party, captured 9% of the national vote in the 2024 general elections—a significant achievement for a party that is just over a decade old. Yet Malema’s combative style and controversial policies, such as the expropriation of white-owned land without compensation and the nationalization of mines and banks, have made him a deeply divisive figure.
According to AP, Malema’s conviction has sharpened existing political divides. Supporters see him as a fearless champion of economic justice, while critics accuse him of stoking racial tensions and undermining the rule of law. The EFF’s platform has been a lightning rod for debate, with land reform and economic transformation at the forefront of national discourse. Malema’s detractors, including many in the white farming community and business sector, warn that his policies threaten South Africa’s economic stability and social cohesion. His supporters, however, argue that the country’s entrenched inequalities demand bold action.
The legal saga has also drawn international attention. Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump referenced Malema in a video shown during a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump has repeatedly made the unsubstantiated claim that there is an ongoing “white genocide” in South Africa, a narrative that has been widely discredited by experts but continues to circulate in certain political circles. Malema’s appearance in Trump’s video only heightened scrutiny of his political activities and the broader debate over land reform in South Africa.
Malema’s conviction is not his first brush with the law. Over the years, he has faced numerous legal challenges, including charges related to hate speech and corruption. Yet he has consistently portrayed himself as a victim of political persecution, a narrative that resonates with many of his supporters. After the verdict, Malema did not mince words, telling his followers that the fight was far from over. “We will appeal this verdict all the way to the Constitutional Court,” he declared, signaling that the legal battle will likely continue for months, if not years.
The political stakes are high. If Malema is ultimately sentenced to prison, it could sideline one of South Africa’s most influential opposition leaders at a critical juncture. The EFF’s growing electoral strength has positioned it as a key player in the country’s evolving political landscape, particularly as the ANC faces mounting criticism over corruption, unemployment, and persistent inequality. Malema’s absence from the political arena would undoubtedly leave a void, though it could also spark internal power struggles within the EFF.
Meanwhile, the acquittal of Adriaan Snyman has raised uncomfortable questions about the consistency of South Africa’s justice system. Malema’s accusation of racial bias, while controversial, taps into a broader conversation about race, privilege, and accountability in post-apartheid South Africa. As OkayAfrica reported, many South Africans remain divided over whether the verdict represents a fair application of the law or a symptom of deeper systemic issues.
For now, all eyes are on the January sentencing. The magistrate’s decision will not only determine Malema’s personal fate but also send a powerful signal about the rule of law and the boundaries of political expression in one of Africa’s most vibrant democracies. Whether the sentence is harsh or lenient, it is certain to reverberate far beyond the courtroom, shaping the country’s political discourse in the months ahead.
As South Africa grapples with its legacy of inequality and the challenges of transformation, the Malema case serves as a stark reminder that the struggle over the country’s future is as contentious—and consequential—as ever.
