Representing himself and an undisclosed number of ANC members, attorney Votani Majola said that members' right to freedom of expression had been infringed by intimidation meted out by "irrational bullies".
He cited incidents of booing at party rallies and meetings. President Thabo Mbeki and deputy president Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka had been victims of such behaviour, Majola argued. He said because of booing, a number of ANC leaders and members were not afforded the right to freedom of expression and to express their political views.
Referring again to freedom of political expression, Majola told the court that the African National Congress national executive committee -- whose members evaluated and assessed the party organisation -- had failed to supply important information to its members. He said there were irregularities in the NEC's evaluation process and in policy documents which would impact on future events if the ANC national conference was allowed to go ahead.
Just before Judge Hilton Epstein adjourned the matter until later on Thursday afternoon, he said Majola had a long way to go to show why the court should get involved in party politics. He said courts would intervene only when all remedies had been exhausted by the ANC itself.
The hearing continues.
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