News / Africa
EFF's Malema shrugs off court problems
25 May 2014 at 13:50hrs | Views
Johannesburg - Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has dismissed the notion that a court battle over unpaid taxes could see him lose his seat in Parliament, the Sunday Times reported.
"I am in Parliament at least for the next five years," he told the newspaper.
"You have to live with that nightmare for the next five years."
In an interview, Malema said he did not see the possibility of having to give up his seat.
"I think it is safe to say all has been taken care of".
Malema said that in terms of what steps he would take to settle an outstanding R16m tax bill, "for now, I don't think they're of serious concern".
Looming deadline
Speaking about himself in the third person, Malema said, "... Julius Malema leaving as leader of the EFF. I am saying it will never happen."
On Friday, Malema's lawyer Tumi Mokwena said his client would oppose a final sequestration of his estate.
Malema has until 10:00 on Monday to give the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria reasons why his provisional sequestration should not be made final.
A final sequestration order would affect Malema's political career, as he will not be allowed to serve as a Member of Parliament.
In April, a trust was launched to collect funds to settle his R16m SA Revenue Service (Sars) bill, but it is not clear if the trust has secured enough funds to help the firebrand Economic Freedom Fighters leader.
According to court documents, Malema owed R16m plus interest after failing to submit tax returns between 2006 and 2010.
'No circus'
This week, Malema, wearing a red overall and gumboots, was sworn in as an MP in the first sitting of the fifth democratic Parliament in Cape Town.
On Sunday, Malema said that the presence of his newly formed political party would ensure Parliament was "robust" and "exciting".
"We will make our radical proposals and we will firmly put the EFF economic agenda on the table," he told the Sunday Times.
However, he said that he was "not an entertainer", but a politician.
"Parliament is not a circus," he said.
The EFF will also be aiming to make an impact in North West and Limpopo, where it will be the official opposition. Shortly after the elections results were announced, Malema told News24 he was intending to make expropriation of land a priority. Watch the full video interview.
"I am in Parliament at least for the next five years," he told the newspaper.
"You have to live with that nightmare for the next five years."
In an interview, Malema said he did not see the possibility of having to give up his seat.
"I think it is safe to say all has been taken care of".
Malema said that in terms of what steps he would take to settle an outstanding R16m tax bill, "for now, I don't think they're of serious concern".
Looming deadline
Speaking about himself in the third person, Malema said, "... Julius Malema leaving as leader of the EFF. I am saying it will never happen."
On Friday, Malema's lawyer Tumi Mokwena said his client would oppose a final sequestration of his estate.
Malema has until 10:00 on Monday to give the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria reasons why his provisional sequestration should not be made final.
A final sequestration order would affect Malema's political career, as he will not be allowed to serve as a Member of Parliament.
In April, a trust was launched to collect funds to settle his R16m SA Revenue Service (Sars) bill, but it is not clear if the trust has secured enough funds to help the firebrand Economic Freedom Fighters leader.
According to court documents, Malema owed R16m plus interest after failing to submit tax returns between 2006 and 2010.
'No circus'
This week, Malema, wearing a red overall and gumboots, was sworn in as an MP in the first sitting of the fifth democratic Parliament in Cape Town.
On Sunday, Malema said that the presence of his newly formed political party would ensure Parliament was "robust" and "exciting".
"We will make our radical proposals and we will firmly put the EFF economic agenda on the table," he told the Sunday Times.
However, he said that he was "not an entertainer", but a politician.
"Parliament is not a circus," he said.
The EFF will also be aiming to make an impact in North West and Limpopo, where it will be the official opposition. Shortly after the elections results were announced, Malema told News24 he was intending to make expropriation of land a priority. Watch the full video interview.
Source - Sapa
