Radical Julius Malema strikes defiant tone as he is found guilty on gun charges

JOHANNESBURG – Firebrand South African politician Julius Malema has told reporters that he is not afraid of prison or dying after he was found guilty on gun charges stemming from a 2018 incident.

After legal proceedings that spanned seven years, with 18 witnesses, including police officers, testifying for the State, the East London Regional Court found Malema guilty of the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public space, failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger to persons or property and reckless endangerment.

His former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman was found not guilty on two charges and was subsequently released.

Snyman is the owner of a private security company that was providing services to the EFF at the time and is said to have handed Malema the rifle that he fired.

The case, initiated by lobby group AfriForum, stems from a viral video filmed during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on 28 July 2018.

It took three days for magistrate Iwanet Olivier to give the verdict on a long standing case.

A flu-stricken magistrate Iwanet Olivier convicted Malema on charges of illegal possession of firearms, contravening the Firearms Control Act, illegal possession of ammunition, and reckless endangerment.

“Accused one [Malema], in respect of counts one, two, three, four, and five you are found guilty as charged.

“Accused two [Snyman], in respect of counts four and six you are found not guilty and discharged.”

The case was postponed to January 2026 for pre-sentencing.

Malema seemed unfazed by his conviction, telling supporters that “going to prison or death is a badge of honour”.

“We cannot be scared of prison [or] to die for the revolution. Whatever they want to do, they must know we will never retreat,” he said outside the East London regional court.