"SIYAYA ePITOLI!" The EFF Set To March On Administrators Demanding Reopening of Stadiums

• The Economic Freedom Fighters are set to crank up the heat on the powers-that-be to consider reopening stadiums to the public for the first time since March 2020
• Leader of the party Julius Malema made the promise at a rally last Saturday, and was seen in a video confirming that they'd resort to picketing
• The picketing will start this morning when EFF members converge on the Department of Sports and Recreation, before turning their attention elsewhere if they don't get their way

The Economic Freedom Fighters will this morning make good on their promise to march and picket for the reopening of stadiums in South Africa.

Starting last week, the party had joined a very loud chorus from the famous to the unknown desperate to return to venues to watch their favourite sports teams. The EFF had singled out the Department of Sports and Recreation, the Premier Soccer League, SAFA and Multichoice as the targets of their demonstrations.

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As reported on Sports Brief, they will first descend on the department's national headquarters at 11AM, before moving on to the above-mentioned organisations, which are stakeholders in professional football in the country.

Speaking in a video posted on the party's Twitter page, Malema said:

"On Thursday we are picketing at the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to demand that it must suggest to the [Coronavirus Command] Council that the stadiums must be opened, even if it's is to a limited amount, we don't care. If there are no results with that picket we are going to picket SAFA, and picket PSL.

"It looks like there is an elite group of elite ANC-aligned which is enjoying this thing of people watching from DStv, because it means more money and viewership DStv. Those who can't afford DStv can't enjoy the beauty of South African people. AFCON is playing... people are at the stadiums. What is so different here in South Africa? Remember when stadiums are opened, informal traders make a lot of money to feed their families."

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Readers get onside with Julius Malema and the EFF on reopening stadiums

The Economic Freedom Forum's intention to picket for the reopening of stadiums has been met with encouragement by sports fans.

As reported on Sports Brief, there has been a groundswell in sentiment around the country to allow spectators to return to stadiums, with momentum increasing this week.

EFF leader Julius Malema was the first politician to openly throw his weight behind this movement.