South African opposition figure Malema sentenced to five years in prison for firing a gun

"They are trying by all means to silence this voice. They will never win."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"Going to prison or death is a badge of honour."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"The main message we are being told here by the racist AfriForum is that if we dare stand up for black people, dare stand up for the marginalised and dare stand up for our generational mission we will be targeted."

— Fikile Mbalula , Politician

"We were tried by a magistrate who doesn't read, who uses emotions, who speaks politics. We are done with her, we are going to a higher court."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"We hear daily, or weekly, of children playing in the front yards, in the street, who are caught in crossfire, random shots fired, killing people. It’s just the first time that we hear, it’s being called celebratory shots."

— Twanet Olivier , Other

"we are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"Adolf Hitler of (the) modern day."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"for one to continue as a Member of Parliament, a sentence must not go over 12 months imprisonment and must not have an option of a fine."

— Mpumelelo Zikalala , Academic

"up until the end of his appeal of his sentence, he remains a member of Parliament."

— Jazz Vilakazi , Academic

"It wasn’t an impulsive act. It wasn’t anger. It was the event of the evening."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"We are tried by a magistrate who doesn't read, who uses emotions, who speaks politics..."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"If you don't come to court, you get arrested. If you come to court, they say you are disturbing court, therefore you must go to prison..."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"We were tried by a magistrate who doesn’t read, who uses emotions, who speaks politics. We are done with her, we are going to a higher court."

— Julius Malema , Politician

"We hear daily, or weekly, of children playing in the front yards, in the street, who are caught in crossfire, random shots fired, killing people."

— Twanet Olivier , Other

"It wasn’t an impulsive act. It wasn’t anger. It was the event of the evening."

— Twanet Olivier , Other

"The accused knew it would cause harm to persons or property and yet proceeded."

— Twanet Olivier , Other

"The shots were fired to celebrate and were not intended to cause any harm."

— Julius Malema , Politician