Malema to appeal guilty ruling in his firearm discharge case

EAST LONDON - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has announced his intention to appeal a court ruling that found him guilty of discharging a firearm in public.

On Wednesday morning, the East London Magistrate’s Court convicted Malema under the Firearms Control Act.

He was facing charges that included the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The case relates to a 2018 rally in Mdantsane, where he allegedly fired shots into the air in close proximity to thousands of supporters.

While Malema has been convicted, his bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, has been acquitted of all charges.

Malema has rejected the verdict, insisting that the court’s decision is flawed.

"As we walk forward, we are going to reinforce that legal team, we'll bring Advocate Ngcukaitobi as we go into the appeal and strengthen our case because it is now beyond all of us. We need to strengthen our team and confront this system and you need lawyers who are not scared."

Malema is expected back in court in January next year for sentencing.