South African opposition politician Julius Malema don collect five years prison sentence today after court find am guilty for illegal possession of gun and firing am for public.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier read the sentence for East London court, and Malema just stand there for dark suit and red tie, no show any emotion.
Lawyer for Malema don already appeal the decision quick quick, to stop the leader of Economic Freedom Fighters from going prison straight.
The sentence length fit make the 45-year-old man lose him position as MP, because the law no allow person wey get such sentence to dey for parliament.
Last year, court convict Malema for five offences, including unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition, discharging am for public space, and reckless endangerment.
All these charges come from 2018 incident when video show Malema using semi-automatic rifle to fire several shots for air during him party fifth anniversary celebrations for Eastern Cape province.
For him defence, Malema tell court say the firearm no be him own, and say him fire the shots just to rouse the crowd, according to South African news site SowetanLIVE report.
But Magistrate Olivier say for sentencing ruling say “it wasn’t. It was the event of the evening,” as AFP news agency quote her.
Malema get long reputation as outspoken, charismatic and radical left-wing politician for South Africa.
Before now, na him be leader of youth wing for governing African National Congress, but after them expel am from party following falling-out with then President Jacob Zuma, him form EFF.
With Malema calls for seizure of white-owned land and arguments say dem suppose do more to transfer wealth to black majority, EFF become country fourth largest party for 2024 elections.
After court find am guilty last October, Malema tell him supporters outside East London court say “going to prison or death is a badge of honour”.
Him talk say “We cannot be scared of prison [or] to die for the revolution. Whatever they want to do, they must know we will never retreat.”
Malema also vow to challenge the judgment up to South Africa highest court, the Constitutional Court.
Malema prosecution start when Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum, wey get contentious relationship with him and EFF, open case against Malema after the video go viral.
Hundreds of red-clad supporters of Economic Freedom Fighters party leader gather outside court for the sentencing today, show how politically charged the case be.
Magistrate Olivier say Malema deliberately violate firearm laws by shooting gun for air at EFF celebration for 2018.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
