Where to from now for Malema?

EFF leader Julius Malema faces a major setback in his presidential ambitions after he was convicted on firearm charges, threatening his political future

- Nkateko Joseph Mabasa

'Badge of honour': According to South African law, Julius Malema will be ineligible to pursue his dreams of becoming president of the country if his appeal against both conviction and sentence fails.

(Photo: EFF)

Firebrand Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema's presidential ambitions suffered a blow this week when an East London magistrate's court found him guilty on five firearm-related charges. He will be sentenced in January in a court case that dates back to 2018.

Malema has indicated he will appeal the court's decision and is adamant that the charges are politically motivated to stop his rise to the presidency and to cripple his party, which has championed land expropriation without compensation and the end of white monopoly capital.

According to South African law, Malema will be ineligible to pursue his dreams of becoming president of the country if his appeal against both conviction and sentence fails.

The law says a person convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine cannot run for the highest office in the land. Malema has publicly announced his intention to become president in the future.

Outside the court on Wednesday, Malema denounced the ruling as racist and politically motivated.

"We are not fighting the case; we are fighting racism. Pure racism that we have been subjected to for the past seven years," he said.

"As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour.

"We cannot be scared of going to prison or dying for the revolution. Whatever they want to do, they must know that we will never retreat from the seven cardinal pillars of the EFF and, at the centre of those, is the expropriation of land without compensation," said Malema.

Malema said after sentencing on 23 January, he will "immediately put an appeal" to the Supreme Court.