No sign of Malema at vigil
2012-09-25 22:35
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Supporters of expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema held a night vigil at the Nirvana community hall in Polokwane in Limpopo. Police say there were no incidents during the night vigil.
Polokwane – Supporters of Julius Malema on Tuesday night waited in vain for the ex-ANCYL to address them during a vigil ahead of his court appearance in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and money laundering.
City Press’s Xolani Mbanjwa tweeted that by around 21:30, about 2 000 people had arrived for the vigil.
“#MalemaVigil more than 2000 people gathered here now. They say the night is still young, another bus and taxis pulling through”
A spokesperson for the ANCYL in Lmpopo, Klaas Mabunda, earlier said that Malema would hand himself over to police at 08:15 on Wednesday before his court appearance.
He said Malema was expected to make speeches both before and after appearing on charges related to his Ratanang Family Trust.
Security around the Polokwane Magistrate's Court was beefed up on Tuesday and several roads are to be closed.
Timeslive reported that the ring of steel outside court will include nearly 1 000 police officers
from across Limpopo, with many others from outside the province being
placed on stand-by.
The security cordon, which is to stretch for several blocks around the
courthouse, will be manned by public order protection unit members,
equestrian unit officers and members of the province's dog units.
Backing them up will be members of the national intervention unit and
the air wing, which has deployed several helicopters to the city.
"Tight control will be enforced by members of the private security company at the court, as well as members of the SAPS," police spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said in a statement.
"No lawlessness will be tolerated and those who break the law will be arrested immediately," he said, adding that dangerous weapons like firearms, knives, pangas and sticks were banned.
Mulaudzi said police were expecting "throngs and throngs of people".
