BREAKING NEWS: MALEMA TO FACE POSSIBLE 15-YEARS BEHIND BARS
If EFF leader Julius Malema is found guilty of contravening the Firearms Control Act, he could face up to 15 years behind bars.
Malema is currently at East London Magistrate court where judgement will be delivered today.
In a tense day at the East London Regional Court, the judgment in the high-profile firearm discharge case against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and his former bodyguard Adriaan Snyman has been put on hold until tomorrow. The magistrate started reading the lengthy ruling on Monday, 29 September 2025, but could not wrap it up, leading to an adjournment. Malema’s bail has been extended, and he must show up in court again on Tuesday morning. This delay has kept supporters and critics on edge, as the case—stemming from a 2018 rally incident—drags on after years of legal back-and-forth. For many South Africans, it spotlights questions of accountability for public figures and gun laws in a country grappling with violence.
The trial, which kicked off in 2021, has drawn massive attention due to Malema’s role as a fiery opposition voice. As head of the EFF since 2013, he’s built a following with calls for land reform and economic change, but this case has cast a shadow over his image. With the ruling now split over two days, families, party members, and legal watchers are left waiting for a verdict that could bring up to 15 years behind bars if guilty. This article looks at the day’s events, the case’s roots, key evidence and arguments, reactions from those involved, and what might come next.
