Hill-Lewis Welcomes Malema Sentencing As Appeal Bid Partly Granted: “No One Above The Law”

Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Democratic Alliance leader and Executive Mayor of Cape Town, has welcomed the sentencing of Julius Malema.

Malema was sentenced in the Regional Court in kuGompo City on Thursday on firearm-related charges.

Court Grants Malema Leave to Appeal Sentence Only

The court granted Malema leave to appeal his five-year sentence but denied his application to appeal the conviction.

The ruling means that while the sentence may still be challenged, the conviction itself remains in place.

Presiding magistrate Twanet Olivier delivered the judgment.

‘A Good Day for the Rule of Law’

Hill-Lewis said the outcome sends a strong message about accountability in South Africa.

“I welcome the sentencing in the matter related to Julius Malema’s illegal use of a firearm. Gun violence is out of control in South Africa. So, any crime involving illegal gun fire is extremely serious. It’s important to punish illegal firearm (related charges) harshly.

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“Only when people understand that their consequences for crime, will we get gun violence under control in South Africa. The sentence today also sends a clear message in South Africa that no one is above the law. So, today is a good day for the rule of law in South Africa.”