South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison for firing an assault rifle at a rally eight years ago.
Supporters of his party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), gathered outside the court in large numbers during the sentencing.
Dressed in the party’s signature red attire, they showed solidarity in what has been described as a politically charged case.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier ruled that Malema deliberately violated firearm laws by discharging a weapon in the air at an EFF event in 2018.
The court held that his actions were unlawful and could not be overlooked despite his political standing.
Malema, born on March 3, 1981, is the founder and leader of the EFF and is known for his communist and nationalist views.
