South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of firearm-related offences linked to a 2018 political rally.

The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was convicted on multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place during an event held at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province.

The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Twanet Olivier at the regional court in KuGompo City, formerly known as East London.

Malema’s legal team immediately applied for leave to appeal the sentence shortly after it was pronounced, signaling a legal battle that could delay the enforcement of the ruling.

If upheld after the appeals process, the sentence could have significant political consequences, as it may disqualify Malema from holding public office, potentially forcing him to vacate his seat in parliament.

The development poses a major challenge for the EFF, currently the fourth-largest party in South Africa’s parliament, with a strong support base among young voters dissatisfied with persistent economic inequality decades after the end of apartheid in 1994.

Malema had pleaded not guilty to all charges during the trial, which stemmed from an incident in 2018 where he was seen discharging what appeared to be a rifle during a public gathering.

Legal analysts say the outcome of the appeal will be crucial in determining both Malema’s political future and the broader implications for South Africa’s opposition landscape.