Polokwane - The organisers of a night vigil for expelled ANC youth league president Julius Malema were meeting the Polokwane municipality and the police on Tuesday for permission to gather.
“A decision will be taken after that on whether the night vigil is allowed, at the court or anywhere else,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
“For any grouping to have a night vigil, they would have to have sought permission from authorities,” he said.
The Sowetan reported on Tuesday that more than 15 000 people were expected to attend the vigil outside the Polokwane Regional Court in support of Malema.
Limpopo African National Congress Youth League spokesman Klaas Mabunda told the newspaper it had arranged buses to take members and Malema supporters to the night vigil.
“I can confirm that, after lengthy articulations, the provincial executive committee of the ANCYL has mandated to organise transport for members and Malema's supporters,” Mabunda said.
The ANCYL did not officially endorse the vigil, spokesman Thabo Kupa said.
“We have not officially sanctioned any gathering in Limpopo,” said Kupa.
“All of us who are going there, are going in our personal capacities.”
According to The Sowetan, Mabunda said the buses would be paid for by businesspeople and by “some” ANC leaders.
Mulaudzi said security would be tight around the court and in Seshego, Malema's home town.
The SA Police Service (SAPS) would watch and patrol the area in and around the court, the city centre and identified areas in Seshego, Mulaudzi said.
Streets around the court would be closed to traffic from 6am on Wednesday.
Mulaudzi advised motorists to avoid the area around the court for the whole day.
Only a limited number of people would be allowed into the courtroom, he said.
“Tight control will be enforced by members of the private security company at the court, as well as members of the SAPS.
“No dangerous weapons, such as firearms, knives, pangas or knobkerries will be allowed onto the court premises as well as surrounding areas,” Mulaudzi said.
An arrest warrant for Malema was issued on Friday.
City Press reported that Malema faced charges of money-laundering, corruption and fraud relating to his Ratanang Family Trust and its shareholding in On-Point Engineering, a company which allegedly made millions from Limpopo government tenders. - Sapa