MALEMA TAKES ON JUDGE, TLAKULA AND IEC
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema said his party would not allow the May 7 elections to be presided over by people with "questionable credentials".
Malema was addressing supporters on his party's failed bid for an interdict relating to the payment of financial deposits to the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).
"This is the beginning of many battles to start," he said.
The High Court in Pretoria dismissed the EFF's application with costs earlier in the day.
Political parties are required to pay a deposit of more than R600,000 --R45,000 per province, and R200,000 to contest the polls nationally.
The EFF was seeking to have this requirement removed or greatly reduced.
Malema said his party would seek to have a forensic report said to be implicating IEC chairwoman Pansy Tlakula released without delay.
The EFF would approach courts to compel the IEC to issue the report.
"What if after the elections the report confirms that indeed there was corruption and the chairperson of the IEC was involved?" he asked.
"We don't want our elections to be presided over by people who have a credibility crisis."
A forensic investigation commissioned by the IEC reportedly found that Tlakula and IEC commissioners did not act with due diligence when they secured a lease for the IEC headquarters in Pretoria.
This followed a probe by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who came to similar conclusions.
Malema said Tuesday's decision by Judge Joseph Raulinga confirmed his long-held assertion that courts are there to rubber-stamp decisions of capitalists.
"We told you that the role of the courts is to reinforce capitalism. The court has just confirmed that. The court says elections are only for the rich... they must be ashamed, and shame on the justice system of South Africa," he said.
Raulinga said his full judgment would be ready on Wednesday.
"Costs in this case include the costs attended in the payment of two counsel [for the IEC]. The judgment is ready but I still have to cross the Ts and dot the Is," he said.
The IEC has set a deadline of 5pm on March 12 for the submission of parties' candidate lists and the payment of the deposits required to contest the elections.
Malema said his party would submit its candidates' list on Wednesday.
Source : Sapa /jm/hdw/gq/lp
Date : 11 Mar 2014 17:27
