Malema: Members who fail to fill buses and sell gala dinner tickets will be banned from EFF birthday bash

EFF leader Julius Malema has warned party representatives who fail to fill buses and sell gala dinner tickets will be banned from the the party's 10th birthday celebrations. 

The red berets will host their anniversary celebration at the FNB Stadium on July 29 and a gala dinner at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on July 27. 

Addressing the media this week, Malema said party representatives who fail to comply with the transport directive will be banned from attending the rally and action against them will be taken after the festivities.

“On January 1, the EFF gave a directive to all its public representatives from councillors to  members of the provincial legislatures and members of parliament to arrange transportation for their constituencies to attend the 10th anniversary rally.

“This directive was given to ensure public representatives bring those they claim to represent to the celebration and ensure the people of South Africa from all walks of life are part of this event,” he said.

The directive's deadline was June 30 and no extension will be granted, said Malema.

He said the party expected 3,258 buses from representatives from nine provinces, but only 1,324 buses have been confirmed.

“We commend all those who have complied with the organisational directive. All the public representatives who failed to comply, including members of the central command and war council of the EFF, are prohibited from attending the birthday celebration,” he said

The EFF will publish the names of representatives who are banished from attending the celebration next Tuesday. 

“The EFF will host a gala dinner, and all members of the EFF, central command team members, members of parliament and members of the provincial legislatures are expected to sell tickets to the gala dinner. If they fail, their names will also be published to the public,” said Malema.

Ticket packages for the gala dinner are R1.2m for the platinum package, R750,000 for the gold package, R500,000 for the silver package and R250,000 for the bronze package. 

The platinum package scores you 10 seats at the main table next to Malema and it is sold out.

Speaking to TimesLIVE, the EFF defended its gala ticket prices, saying: “A political party must be run and operated by the people it represents and making donations to the EFF’s birthday celebration is an opportunity to do that.”

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