The urgent court interdict brought against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was granted on Tuesday that the Gupta-owned ANN7 (DStv 405) TV news channel and The New Age newspaper brought against the political party.
Oakbay Investments - a shareholder in the Gupta-owned media and other companies - as well as Oakbay Investments CEO Nazeem Howa along with other plaintiffs asked the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday for the court order to force the EFF not to commit violence against ANN7 or the newspaper, its assets like property, and staff.
The Guptas' court interdict granted by judge Johan Louw also asked the EFF not to interfere with the activities of ANN7 and The New Age reporters and journalists. The EFF opposed the application.
The court interdict prevents the EFF from threatening ANN7 and The New Age reporters, and from making threats of violence against the Gupta brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh.
According to the court interdict granted, the EFF is barred from interfering with the activities of ANN7 or The New Age reporters and can't bar these reporters from attending any public political EFF events.
The EFF is also not allowed to incite violence against the Guptas, their 4 500 employees through public statements, press releases or public speeches, is not allowed to damage Gupta-owned property and isn't allowed to incite followed to enter the premises of Gupta-owned properties illegally.
The EFF is barred from intimidating the Guptas and their employees, or to cause these employees to fear for their lives or safety, or to limit their reasonable freedom of movement and trade.
EFF leader Julius Malema last week went on a scathing tirade against ANN7 and The New Age, banning reporters and journalists from ANN7 and The New Age from attending any EFF events or press conferences and using threatening language saying their safety can't be guaranteed.
It saw the abrupt cut of a televised broadcast from the EFF press conference as the ANN7 crew killed the feed, packed up and left.
Julius Malema said the EFF wants the influential Guptas with strong ties to president Jacob Zuma, to leave the Gauteng province and South Africa.
"We don't want to see The New Age and ANN7. It's propaganda machinery," said Julius Malema.
