EFF Leader Julius Malema Convicted in 2018 Firearms Case After Video Evidence of Rifle Discharge
Johannesburg, South Africa – October 1, 2025
Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been found guilty by the East London Magistrate’s Court on charges stemming from a 2018 rally in which he was filmed firing a rifle into the air. The court concluded that the video footage, combined with other evidence, demonstrated that he had breached the Firearms Control Act.
The incident occurred during the EFF’s 5th anniversary event at Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane (Eastern Cape).
In the viral video central to the case, a man resembling Malema is seen receiving what appears to be a rifle from his bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, and subsequently firing shots into the air.
The state prosecutor, Joel Cesar, argued that the video was “the best silent witness,” pointing to reactions in the crowd and the fear it induced.
The defense, led by Advocate Laurence Hodes, challenged the admissibility and authenticity of the video, contending that it was downloaded from social media and might have been manipulated using artificial intelligence.
The defense also stressed that no eyewitnesses testified to seeing Malema discharge a firearm, no live rounds or bullet damage were directly linked to the stage, and that the chain of custody for the cartridges found after the event was weak.
The state’s forensic evidence included a spent cartridge recovered near the stage two days after the rally, which ballistic experts said matched test cartridges linked to the rifle alleged to have been used. The state also contended modifications to the rifle’s parts (specifically, the bridge block) had been made to frustrate ballistic testing.
Prosecutors argued that even though the video did not conclusively show Snyman handing the firearm, he should still be considered an accessory for omitting to act, given his control over the weapon.
The judgment had been reserved earlier; court filings show that Magistrate Twanet Olivier was recapping all testimony before delivering her decision.
Under the Firearms Control Act, Malema could face up to 15 years’ imprisonment, although there is no mandatory minimum sentence.
The EFF has immediately signaled an intent to appeal the ruling, possibly escalating it to the Constitutional Court.
Critics of the trial label it politically motivated, pointing to what they see as delays, shifting evidentiary positions by the state, and the high-profile nature of Malema’s role. Malema himself publicly denounced the trial as “political.”
Sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2026. Meanwhile, the EFF and its legal team will likely press arguments about the video’s authenticity, gaps in forensic linkage, and issues of procedural fairness.
The outcome could set a precedent in how courts treat video evidence in politically sensitive trials, especially where manipulation is alleged.
Beyond the courtroom, the case has already galvanized supporters and critics, and may influence public perceptions of judicial independence, accountability, and the relationship between political power and law enforcement in South Africa.
