France, April 16 -- Hundreds of red-clad supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader gathered outside in several centres across South Africa to follow the sentencing live in the politically charged case.

Magistrate Twanet Olivier said Malema, 45, had deliberately violated firearm laws by shooting a semi-automatic rifle in the air at an EFF rally in 2018.

She allowed Malema to be released on a previous bail and pending an appeal against the sentence with another court.

Malema's defence said the shots were only intended to be celebratory.

"They are trying by all means to silence this voice," Malema told hundreds of supporters outside the court in the city of KuGompo, formerly East London, after he was released. "They ...