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EFF leader Julius Malema gestures as he addresses supporters outside the Regional Court in KuGompo City in the Eastern Cape on 16 April 2026.
The Al Jama-ah party says Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema should be allowed to appeal his five-year sentence judgment by the Regional Court in KuGompo City in the Eastern Cape.
Malema has been sentenced to five years direct imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition.
Malema was found guilty of contravening the Firearm Controls Act when he discharged an automatic rifle in the air during the EFF’s 5th birthday celebration in Mdantsane in 2018.
MP Imraan Moosa says Malema, like anyone else, has the constitutional right to challenge the sentencing in a higher court, which may arrive at a different decision.
“Al Jama-ah notes with concern the reported five-year sentencing of leader Julius Malema. While we respect the independency of the judiciary, South Africa’s judiciary is (clear) both on the fundamental rights to appeal as guaranteed under certain rights of the constitution, which ensures every accused person has the right to have their conviction and sentenced reviewed by a higher court. As AL Jama-ah, we are, therefore, confident that the higher court will carefully consider the legal merits and the broader legal constitutional principles to ensure that justice ultimately prevails.”
Political parties have expressed mixed reactions to the ruling, as outlined in the report below:
