The South African leftwing politician Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison for firing a rifle in the air at a political rally in 2018.

Lawyers for the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, South Africa’s fourth largest political party, immediately sought leave to appeal. Legal arguments are ongoing.

Malema was convicted last year on charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place, after an incident at the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations in KuGompo City, formerly known as East London.

Dozens of red-shirted EFF supporters gathered outside the magistrates court in KuGompo City where the judge Twanet Oliver handed down the sentence.

Malema, 45, the son of a domestic worker, founded the EFF in 2013 after he was expelled from the ruling African National Congress for “sowing division”.

The EFF is notorious for its disruptive parliamentary protests and describes itself as anti-imperialist and inspired by Marxism.

More details soon …