South African politician Julius Malema sentenced to 5 years
AP News
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A South African opposition party leader, Julius Malema, has been sentenced to five years in prison for breaking firearm laws.
He fired a rifle at a political rally in 2018.
Malema was convicted on five counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment.
Magistrate Twanet Olivier highlighted the seriousness of the offense when delivering the sentence.
Malema claims the charges were politically motivated, brought by Afriforum, a group that has clashed with him for years.
Malema leads the Economic Freedom Fighters party, known for its controversial policies on land and resource nationalization.
Julius Malema Sentenced to Prison
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