POLITICAL newcomer the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has launched an urgent application in the North Gauteng High Court, seeking an interdict against having to pay a deposit along with the submission of its party list in terms of the electoral timetable.
The party said in a statement on Thursday that the court action against President Jacob Zuma, Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was prompted by the "barrier of entry" caused by the "imposition of such a high deposit".
The amount required is in excess of R600,000, with R45,000 per province and R200,000 for national contestation, which, according to the EFF, unfairly discriminates against new parties.
The IEC published its electoral timetable on Wednesday, setting the deadline of March 12 for the submission of party lists. National elections take place on May 7, but it is still unclear how many parties will be represented on the national ballot paper.
The EFF, led by former African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema, has previously complained that Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) regulations on political party coverage prejudice newcomers.
The party said in January that Icasa regulations stating that media coverage, primarily radio and television, be spread across parties according to their current seats in Parliament "is not fair and prejudices new political parties that deserve a level playing field".
Mr Malema is dealing with a R16m tax debt from the South African Revenue Service and has until May 26 to provide reasons why a provisional sequestration order against him should not be confirmed.
The EFF launched its manifesto earlier this week, with a vision of a "people-driven state". The manifesto includes 60% public ownership of mines and banks, support for and the creation of 1-million small businesses, and a R4,500 minimum wage.
Party leader Julius Malema waves to Economic Freedom Fighters supporters at the launch of its election manifesto in Tembisa, east of Johannesburg, this month. Picture: REUTERS
POLITICAL newcomer the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has launched an urgent application in the North Gauteng High Court, seeking an interdict against having to pay a deposit along with the submission of its party list in terms of the electoral timetable.
The party said in a statement on Thursday that the court action against President Jacob Zuma, Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was prompted by the "barrier of entry" caused by the "imposition of such a high deposit".
The amount required is in excess of R600,000, with R45,000 per province and R200,000 for national contestation, which, according to the EFF, unfairly discriminates against new parties.
The IEC published its electoral timetable on Wednesday, setting the deadline of March 12 for the submission of party lists. National elections take place on May 7, but it is still unclear how many parties will be represented on the national ballot paper.
The EFF, led by former African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema, has previously complained that Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) regulations on political party coverage prejudice newcomers.
The party said in January that Icasa regulations stating that media coverage, primarily radio and television, be spread across parties according to their current seats in Parliament "is not fair and prejudices new political parties that deserve a level playing field".
Mr Malema is dealing with a R16m tax debt from the South African Revenue Service and has until May 26 to provide reasons why a provisional sequestration order against him should not be confirmed.
The EFF launched its manifesto earlier this week, with a vision of a "people-driven state". The manifesto includes 60% public ownership of mines and banks, support for and the creation of 1-million small businesses, and a R4,500 minimum wage.
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