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[POLITICS] · South Africa · 4 sources

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Part of situation: South African political and legal developments involving EFF (2 clusters)

Julius Malema granted leave to appeal firearm conviction

Julius Malema Economic Freedom Fighters firearm conviction South African politics Makhanda High Court

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been granted leave to appeal his firearm conviction and a five-year prison sentence. The Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda ruled that compelling reasons exist to refer the matter to a Full Bench of the division.

The conviction follows a 2018 incident at an EFF anniversary rally in Mdantsane, where Malema was found guilty of five firearm-related charges, including unlawful possession and discharging a firearm in a built-up area. He was previously sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment by the East London Magistrates’ Court.

The EFF has welcomed the ruling, asserting that the initial judgment is subject to serious legal challenge. The party has characterized the prosecution as a politically motivated ‘witch hunt’ by the organization AfriForum. Additionally, the EFF raised concerns regarding the conduct of the National Prosecuting Authority, specifically regarding the handling of a firearm belonging to a co-accused.

Under South African law, a sentence exceeding 12 months typically disqualifies an individual from serving in Parliament. However, Malema will retain his seat in the National Assembly as the disqualification is suspended pending the outcome of the appeal proceedings.

Entities

AfriForum · Eastern Cape High Court · Economic Freedom Fighters · Julius Malema · National Prosecuting Authority

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Malema granted leave to appeal firearm convictions [www.algoafm.co.za]
Malema granted leave to appeal firearm conviction and five-year sentence - Inside Politics [insidepolitic.co.za]
Julius Malema granted leave to appeal firearm conviction [www.bona.co.za]
EFF insists Julius Malema’s gun-discharge conviction 'will not stand' [www.sapeople.com]