Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been convicted of illegal possession of a firearm and firing it in public, offenses that could lead to a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. The charges stem from a 2018 incident where Malema discharged a semi-automatic rifle during a party celebration in front of thousands of supporters. His defense claimed the firearm was not his and that he fired the shots to energize the crowd. This conviction follows a recent hate speech ruling against him, highlighting his contentious political stance and rhetoric. Malema has vowed to appeal the conviction, asserting that he will not be intimidated by the legal system. The case has drawn significant attention, reflecting ongoing racial tensions in South Africa and the polarizing figure that Malema represents.