JUJU GETS ANOTHER SHOT AT GUN CASE

Staff Writer / Mon, 29 Sept 2026

EFF leader Julius Malema has been given another chance to fight his firearm conviction.

The High Court in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, has granted Malema leave to appeal his conviction in the firearm case.

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The order was issued on Monday, 28 September, by Justices Tokota (ADJP) and Lowe.

The court ruled that “leave to appeal against the convictions of the applicant” is granted and that the matter may now be heard by a Full Bench of the Makhanda High Court.

Malema was convicted by the East London Magistrates’ Court on five firearm-related charges and was sentenced to an effective five years in prison in April. 

The charges relate to an incident at the EFF’s fifth birthday celebrations at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in July 2018, where Malema was filmed firing a firearm.

He was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger, and reckless endangerment of people or property. 

Malema has denied wrongdoing and maintained during the trial that the firearm he handled was a toy and that he did not intend to put anyone in danger. 

In April, the magistrate granted him leave to appeal his sentence, but refused leave to appeal his conviction. His legal team then approached the High Court in Makhanda.

The latest order now opens the door for the conviction to be challenged before a Full Bench.

Malema remains out of jail while the appeal process continues. His sentence appeal is a separate part of the ongoing legal battle. 

The case is still before the courts.

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