Economic Freedom Fighters commander-in-chief Julius Malema may lose his parliamentary seat after an East London magistrate’s court found him guilty of illegally discharging a firearm.
The conviction carries the potential for a custodial sentence that could result in the fiery leader being expelled from his seat in the National Assembly.
According to the nation’s constitution, any Member of Parliament who is sentenced to more than twelve months behind bars without the option of a fine is automatically disqualified from holding their parliamentary office. With sentencing scheduled for late January, the nation waits to see if the court will deliver a blow that reshapes the political landscape.
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Julius Malema Could Lose Parliamentary Seat After Guilty Gun Verdict
Legal expert Shadi Maganoe, a lecturer at the Wits University School of Law, clarified the high stakes. She stated,
“The constitution provides that an MP is disqualified if convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months in jail without the option of a fine.” Maganoe further explained the long-term consequences, noting, “This means if Malema receives such a sentence, and all appeals are exhausted, he could lose his parliamentary seat for five years after completing the sentence.”
Unbowed by the verdict, Malema addressed a crowd of supporters outside the courthouse with characteristic defiance. He immediately confirmed his intention to challenge the ruling through every available legal channel. He declared,
“We are coming on January 23 for sentencing. After sentencing, we will immediately put in an appeal so we can go to the higher court because we think the judgment is faulty.”
He framed the legal battle in starkly political terms, alleging that the case was a targeted attack from the outset.
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“They’ve been looking for me,” he proclaimed. “They were playing games, and today they came out openly.”
Malema struck a revolutionary pose, insisting that the threat of imprisonment did not intimidate him.
“As a revolutionary, going to prison or death is a badge of honour. We cannot be scared of prison. We cannot be scared to die for the revolution. Whatever they want to do, they must know we will never retreat from our ideas.”
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The post Julius Malema Could Lose Parliamentary Seat After Guilty Gun Verdict appeared first on iHarare News.
