• Julius Malema convicted Wednesday on multiple firearm charges for firing rifle at 2018 political rally in South Africa.
• Conviction follows separate hate speech ruling in August after Trump featured Malema in White House video during meeting.
• Malema faces up to 15 years in prison but vows to appeal, calling conviction racist and politically motivated.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (TDR) — South African opposition leader Julius Malema was convicted Wednesday on multiple firearm charges stemming from a 2018 incident where he fired a rifle at a political rally, marking his second criminal conviction in two months.

The fiery politician, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters party, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a weapon in a public space, failure to take reasonable precautions and reckless endangerment. Magistrate Twanet Olivier delivered the verdict in East London Regional Court after three days of deliberation.

Malema could face up to 15 years in prison when sentencing occurs in January 2026. Nevertheless, he immediately announced plans to appeal and told supporters outside the courthouse that going to prison would be "a badge of honor."

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The 2018 Incident

The conviction stems from Malema's actions during the EFF's fifth anniversary celebration at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape province. Video footage showed him firing between 14 and 15 live rounds into the air from an assault rifle in front of approximately 20,000 supporters.

Malema claimed throughout the trial that the weapon was merely a toy gun loaded with blanks. However, Olivier rejected this defense, concluding the firearm was real and posed genuine danger.

Adriaan Snyman, Malema's former bodyguard who allegedly provided the rifle, was charged alongside the politician but acquitted. Malema seized on this outcome to allege judicial bias.

"This proved the magistrate was racist, because Snyman is white," Malema told reporters. Furthermore, he launched attacks on Olivier's competence, suggesting an African female judge would have faced intense criticism for similar procedural issues.

Connection to Trump Controversy

The conviction arrives amid heightened international scrutiny of Malema following President Donald Trump's confrontation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House earlier this year.

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During that Oval Office meeting, Trump played a video montage showing Malema leading chants of "Kill the Boer" — referring to white Afrikaner farmers — and accused him of fomenting violence against white South Africans. Trump has repeatedly and falsely claimed a "white genocide" is occurring in South Africa.

The advocacy group AfriForum, which represents Afrikaner interests, brought the firearm charges against Malema. The organization also lodged the hate speech complaint that resulted in Malema's August conviction by the Western Cape Equality Court.

"Without providing evidence, the EFF leader claimed the ruling was made to appease AfriForum, US President Donald Trump and 'the white supremacists of South Africa,'" according to court proceedings.

August Hate Speech Conviction

In August, an Equality Court found Malema guilty of hate speech for comments made at an October 2022 rally in Cape Town. During that event, he told supporters they "must never be scared to kill" and that "killing is part of a revolutionary act" while discussing a 2020 incident involving EFF members and white parents at a school.

The court ruled Malema's statements constituted "clear exhortations to violence against a specific racial group — white men — based on race and political belief." Consequently, both Malema and the EFF were held jointly liable for legal costs.

Malema has appealed that conviction as well. The EFF argued the court "strips the speech of its political, historical and ideological context" and disregards South Africa's apartheid history.

Political Impact and International Tensions

Malema remains a divisive figure in South African politics. His party advocates for expropriation of white-owned land without compensation and nationalization of mines and banks. The EFF captured nine percent of votes in last year's general elections, making it the country's fourth-largest political party.

Despite his relatively small electoral base, Malema wields outsized influence in South African discourse. His rhetoric about land redistribution and racial justice resonates with many Black South Africans while alarming white minorities and international observers.

Trump's focus on Malema has exacerbated tensions between Washington and Pretoria. The United States has cut all financial aid to South Africa, alleging anti-white and anti-American policies. Additionally, the United Kingdom denied Malema a visa in June, deeming him "non-conducive to the public good."

South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, welcomed both convictions. DA leader John Steenhuisen, who attended the Trump-Ramaphosa meeting, said Malema's divisive language damages South Africa's international reputation.

"This type of divisive language is not just damaging on a local level, it has international repercussions as well," Steenhuisen stated.

Defiant Response

Outside the courthouse Wednesday, Malema demonstrated the defiance that has characterized his political career. He sang "Kill the Boer, kill the farmer" to supporters and vowed to strengthen his legal team by bringing in prominent advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi for his appeals.

"We are not fighting the case, we are fighting racism," Malema declared. Moreover, he urged supporters to continue their political activities rather than be discouraged by the conviction.

The dual convictions create significant legal jeopardy for Malema. If appeals fail and he receives prison time for either offense, it could reshape South African opposition politics. Nevertheless, his supporters view the prosecutions as politically motivated attempts to silence a voice for radical economic transformation.

Malema's trajectory from youth leader of the ruling African National Congress to convicted opposition firebrand illustrates South Africa's ongoing struggles with racial reconciliation, economic inequality and political extremism 31 years after apartheid's end.

Do Malema's convictions represent legitimate accountability or political persecution of a controversial opposition voice? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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