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Malema's EFF secures 1000 new members on the first day

by SAPA
28 Jul 2013 at 06:10hrs | Views
Johannesburg - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it has secured over 1 000 new members.

"We received 1 100 new members on the first day of recruiting," said party leader Julius Malema at a media briefing in Soweto.

"If this becomes a trend then we will be getting 1 000 member[s] every day...it's going to be bigger than what we expected."

This exceeded their expectations, he said.

The EFF - which had gathered in Soweto for a two day national assembly - plans to contest next year's general election.

Malema said the EFF would be officially registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Monday after a few amendments had been made, including changes to its logo.

The EFF logo depicted an arrow instead of a spear and this was to be changed.

Malema said the party would register with double the required number of members needed to contest the election.

"I was told by the IEC that we should have 500 members to register but we are going to register with 1 100 new members," the former ANC Youth League leader said.

Malema is facing corruption charges in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court.

Potential
He is accused of making nearly R4m from corrupt activities and is out on bail of R10 000.

He faces charges of fraud, corruption, money-laundering and racketeering.

Malema acknowledged on Saturday that intimidation was part of politics, but expressed concern about the alleged intimidation of his members.

He said "people with pangas" had intimidated his members during an EFF meeting in the Vaal, but did not say when this had occurred.

He noted that intimidation tactics were worse in Mpumalanga.

"I am more worried about Mpumalanga because they have the potential to kill," he said.

Malema also encouraged Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and his wife to stay strong amid the rape allegations against him.

Vavi's lawyer Dup de Bruyn said earlier that a case of extortion had been opened against a woman who allegedly tried to blackmail Vavi.

Malema said he expected Vavi's wife to stick by his side and not allow "his detractors any room for joy".


Source - SAPA