The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have claimed that the recent High Court ruling has affirmed their right to protest. According to reports, the party was interdicted from shutting down schools, trade, or public roads during their nationwide protest on Saturday. However, the court did not declare the protest as unlawful, which was the main contention in the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) application.
The EFF has stated that the interdict against violence and the closure of schools was not a victory for the DA, as these actions are already considered unlawful in South Africa. Another court in Cape Town also delivered a similar judgement in favour of the City of Cape Town on Friday.
In response to the ruling, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo has stated that the party had no intention of breaking any laws during their protest. Tambo added that the court had affirmed the party’s right to protest as it is enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Tambo went on to say, “We never declared any intention to burn any schools, closing schools [or] committing crimes. So, the court has just reaffirmed the laws of South Africa.” The EFF remains resolute in their stance and sees the ruling as a reaffirmation of their constitutional right to protest.