EFF leader Malema claims Magistrate is 'punishing me for my political views

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema believes he is being targeted for his political views as he prepares to return to court for sentencing after being found guilty of breaking gun laws.

Earlier this year, Malema was found guilty of contravening gun laws following an incident in 2018 where he fired a weapon at an EFF rally in the Eastern Cape.

The EFF leader is scheduled to appear at the East London Magistrates’ Court next month for pre-sentencing proceedings.

Malema claims the guilty verdict is an attempt to silence him and suggests the magistrate handling his case has an agenda against him.

"I've been found guilty, not because I committed a crime, but because she's punishing me for my political views and using a nonexistent criminal matter which is not there."

Malema appealed to supporters and those who uphold the rule of law to speak out against the perceived political persecution.

"Anyone who loves the law of this country, who agrees that presiding officers must never use the courts to settle political scores, have got a reason to come out in their numbers on the 23rd and say, not in the name of our law, not in the name of our constitution, are you going to use your political differences with Malema to abuse what is entrusted with you?"