Standard Bank has verified the authenticity of documents the EFF sent to AfriForum concerning a legal costs bill settlement.
Standard Bank clarifies EFF payments – ‘They were legit’
Standard Bank has played a crucial role in the legal battle between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and civil society organization AfriForum.
The bank confirmed the genuineness of documents the EFF provided to AfriForum, which were initially suspected of being doctored.
This confirmation comes after AfriForum accused the EFF of falsifying proof-of-payment documents related to a legal costs settlement.
The contention stems from a court case where AfriForum sought an interdict against the illegal land occupation, a case that the EFF attempted to appeal in September 2023 at the Constitutional Court but was dismissed with costs.
Subsequently, the EFF made two separate payments of R316,000 to AfriForum, accompanied by proof-of-payment documents purportedly from Standard Bank.
AfriForum, suspecting foul play, claimed the documents were forged and planned to investigate the EFF for forgery, uttering, and fraud. These allegations were further fuelled by an initial response from Standard Bank, which mistakenly described the documents as dubious.
However, Standard Bank has since corrected its stance, stating that its initial response was erroneous and confirming the transactions as genuine.
Afriforum forges ahead with legal action despite bank’s retraction
Despite the confirmation, AfriForum remains adamant in its decision to pursue an investigation, led by Advocate Gerrie Nel and his team, into the origin of these payments and the potential concealment of an EFF benefactor’s identity.
The EFF, vehemently denying any wrongdoing, demanded an immediate retraction and apology from AfriForum.
Through its lawyers, the party described the accusations as “vexatious, misplaced, spurious and untrue.” They have issued an ultimatum to AfriForum, threatening legal action should the organization not retract its statements and issue a public apology by a specified deadline.