Julius Malema was convicted on gun charges on Wednesday, one month after a separate court found the South African leftist politician guilty of hate speech. President Trump attacked Malema at an Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of inciting violence against white South Africans. Trump played footage of Malema leading chants of Kill the Boer, a protest song from the apartheid era.
Malema's party blamed the verdict on imperialist and right-wing influence, while South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority rejected claims of foreign pressure. The gun charges stem from a 2018 rally where Malema appeared to fire an automatic rifle. He faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced in January.
The hate speech conviction relates to 2022 remarks about killing. South Africa negotiates with the United States over 30 percent tariffs imposed this year. Ramaphosa called Malema's party a small minority group but defended free expression rights.
Malema's party blamed the verdict on imperialist and right-wing influence, while South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority rejected claims of foreign pressure. The gun charges stem from a 2018 rally where Malema appeared to fire an automatic rifle. He faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced in January.
The hate speech conviction relates to 2022 remarks about killing. South Africa negotiates with the United States over 30 percent tariffs imposed this year. Ramaphosa called Malema's party a small minority group but defended free expression rights.
