Zimpapers Logo

Julius Malema

PRETORIA — An application by the Economic Freedom Fighters to intervene in its leader Julius Malema’s tax matter with the South Africa Revenue Services was dismissed by the High Court in Pretoria yesterday.

Judge Gregory Wright received the application from the EFF to be allowed to make representations as the court sat yesterday to hear arguments on whether Malema’s sequestration order should be made final.

Wright asked Vuyani Ngalwana, for EFF, why the application to intervene in the case was late.

Ngalwana said the matter had to be discussed overnight by the party.

“I wasn’t there during the discussions, but this is a political party, and not a family, there would be discussions to be made to make sure decisions are taken properly,” Ngalwana said.

The removal of Malema from his position, should the order be made final, would be detrimental to the EFF voters, he said.

“They voted for the EFF because his preaching resonated with them.”

Wright took not more than two minutes to rule on Ngalwana’s application.

“The lateness of the application is not explained satisfactorily, the application is dismissed with costs of two counsels,” said Wright.

The provisional sequestration order against Malema regarding his outstanding tax bill was postponed in March.

In February last year, the court issued a provisional sequestration order against the EFF leader for a reported R16 million in tax debt.

Counsels from both parties were expected to start with their arguments before Wright. — ANA.