EFF supporters brave rain outside court

975 2014/02/23 EFF leader Julius Malema, addresses EFF follower at Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa, during the manifesto launch. Picture: Nicholas Thabo Tau

975 2014/02/23 EFF leader Julius Malema, addresses EFF follower at Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa, during the manifesto launch. Picture: Nicholas Thabo Tau

Published Mar 5, 2014

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Johannesburg -

A crowd of EFF members gathered outside the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday morning ahead of an EFF application to interdict the IEC.

Despite the rain, the Economic Freedom Fighters supporters in red regalia marched in Church Square opposite the court.

Several cars, emblazoned with EFF leader Julius Malema's picture were parked near the court. More EFF members arrived in taxis and cars.

Loud music was played from a Toyota Quantum at the court entrance.

The EFF is seeking an interdict against having to pay a deposit to the Independent Electoral Commission when submitting lists of candidates for the upcoming elections.

The party has taken President Jacob Zuma, Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor, and the IEC to court.

Political parties have to pay a deposit of more than R600 000: R45 000 per province and R200 000 to fully contest the polls nationally.

On Tuesday, Malema said his party would not pay the amount.

“There should be other methods used by parties to show their seriousness which are beyond money. No party can pay for its rent if it is not serious,” he said.

Malema said his party's chances of contesting the polls were not in question, but the court challenge against the IEC would be intense.

“We are tired of being dominated by capitalist ideas. Let us find less capitalist mechanisms of verifying the seriousness of political organisations. Money is not everything.”

The EFF would be willing to comply if the electoral body proposed a figure around R100 or R200. Malema said the IEC requirement would exclude poor people from contesting the elections.

The EFF team on Tuesday was led by Dumisa Ntsebeza SC.

EFF senior official Dali Mpofu SC was also in court. - Sapa

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