EFF berets in high demand

Julius Malema with beret
Julius Malema with beret

The Economic Freedom Fighters has started running out of stock of its signature red berets, City Press reported on Sunday.

Berets were even being snatched off members’ heads as support for Julius Malema’s party swelled, according to the newspaper.

It reported that EFF members could be seen wearing the red berets on street corners, public places, hangout spots and even at funerals, where they were recruiting new members.

One of its leaders, Andile Mngxitama was quoted as saying: “We are replacing money with people. Wherever we go, there is excitement that is generated.

“If you wear a red beret, you get stopped every other second. It doesn’t happen if you wear an ANC or Agang T-shirt.”

He told the newspaper that demand for the red berets “generally exceeds supply”.

Northern Cape co-ordinator Mbuyiselo April complained that the province’s stock had run out.

North West provincial convenor Alfred Mutsi said berets were being stolen from people’s heads.

“When we can’t give people berets, they just grab them off our heads and run away,” he was quoted as saying. – Sapa

IEC confirms EFF registration

Red berets
Red berets

The Economic Freedom Fighters have submitted documents to register as a political party, the Independent Electoral Commission said on Thursday.

“They advertised in the Government Gazette of 2 August 2013 which means the 14-day period for objections expires tomorrow [Friday],” the IEC said.

“The electoral commission will start processing the application for registration after that.”

The EFF, led by former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, held its national assembly in Soweto last month.

The assembly resolved to launch the EFF as a political party.

At a news briefing on the sidelines of the assembly, Malema said the organisation had secured over 1000 new members at the event.

Malema said at the time that the EFF would officially register with the IEC 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 register with 1100 new members,” he said. – Sapa