/ 1 June 2015

Julius Malema: sequestration withdrawn

Julius Malema: Sequestration Withdrawn

The South African Revenue Service has withdrawn an application in the North Gauteng High Court to have EFF leader Julius Malema sequestrated. 

On Monday, Sars advocate Nic Maritz painstakingly argued that it wanted the EFF leader sequestrated and the compromise deal it had with Malema was not longer on the cards. 

He further argued that once Malema was sequestrated Sars would be able to recover the outstanding tax bill that Malema owes. 

Judge Gregory Wright grilled Maritz as to why the revenue collection body first entered into an compromise with Malema and then later called for sequestration again. 

Returning from an hour lunch break, Maritz told the court that he had been advised to withdraw the application against Malema.

He did not offer reasons for the u-turn in the case. 

Speaking outside court, Malema said this was a victory for democracy. 

“If there was a case against us they would have long arrested us,” he said. 

Malema pleaded to the Sars leadership not to be used as a political tool by the ANC government. 

At the same time, Malema chastised his supporters who called for the fall of Sars.

EFF supporters wore t-shirts with the words ‘#SarsMustFall’ and held banners saying Sars has become a tool for politicians. 

“We are going to need this Sars and therefore don’t destroy the institutions you have built which could also contribute to the sustainability of our democracy,” Malema said. 

He thanked his friends and supporters for fundraising on his behalf to pay his tax bill.