State Seeks 15-Year Prison Term for Julius Malema, Labeling Firearm Discharge as 'Barbaric'

The State pushes for a 15-year prison term for EFF leader Julius Malema, calling his discharge of a rifle at a 2018 rally "barbaric" and "malicious."

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 7:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN.

State Denounces Malema’s Conduct in Final Sentencing Arguments

The long-running legal battle involving Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema reached a critical juncture on Wednesday as the State delivered a scathing assessment of his character and actions. Appearing before the East London Magistrates Court for arguments in aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Advocate Joel Cesar described Malema’s 2018 discharge of a rifle as "barbaric." The prosecution argued that the act was not a momentary lapse in judgment but a deliberate display of malice that endangered thousands of lives.

Conviction and the Gravity of the Offense

The proceedings follow a 2025 ruling in which Malema was found guilty of contravening South African gun laws. The conviction stemmed from a viral video captured during the EFF’s 5th-anniversary celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, where Malema was seen firing what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle. The State emphasized that the presence of approximately 20,000 people made the act exceptionally reckless, asserting that it was only "by the grace of God" that no injuries or fatalities occurred.

A Demand for a 15-Year Custodial Sentence

In a move to set a legal precedent against the unauthorized discharge of firearms in public spaces, Advocate Cesar urged the court to impose a 15-year prison sentence. The prosecution argued that such a harsh penalty is necessary to demonstrate that no individual, regardless of their political standing, is above the law. The State specifically noted the irony of Malema, a sitting Member of Parliament and lawmaker, willfully violating the very statutes he is tasked with upholding.