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JOHANNESBURG. — The Economic Freedom Fighters party yesterday claimed Julius Malema’s provisional sequestration was part of an agenda to silence him. “The SA Revenue Service continues to be used by those in the ruling party who fear to meet EFF and the commander-in-chief in particular on the ballot,” Economic Freedom Fighters’ spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.

“In addition, it seeks to disqualify the most vibrant and radical representative voice of the disadvantaged, fighter Julius Malema from serving in parliament.”

Earlier, the EFF leader was provisionally sequestrated by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
A draft order was signed and made an order of court. Reading the order into the record Judge Bill Prinsloo said: “The estate of the respondent (Malema)is placed in provisional sequestration.”

Malema and anyone else who did not want the order to be made final had until 10:00 on May 26 to give reasons as to why this should not happen. The general election will be held on 7 May.

His lawyer, Tumi Mokoena said Malema’s ambitions to serve in Parliament would be thwarted should a provisional sequestration order against him become final.

He would be allowed to stand as an MP, but with potential complications. Should he be elected, he would lose his seat as MP if the provisional order became final.

According to court documents, Malema owed R16m plus interest after failing to submit tax returns between 2006 and 2010. In 2010, the SA Revenue Service contacted Malema about his failure to submit tax returns.

It took Malema 18 months, after many attempts by the Sars, to file his outstanding returns. Malema also failed to register the Ratanang Trust for tax purposes, and Sars had to do this on his behalf.

The EFF said Malema would remain its presidential candidate in the general elections. — Sapa.