News24 | Microwaves, laptops and a water cooler: Sheriff of High Court descends on ANC HQ in search of assets

• The ANC's headquarters, Luthuli House, was a hub of activity on Monday morning when the Sheriff of the court arrived. 
• This, after events company Ezulweni Investments attached the party's accounts and other physical assets, in an effort to recover more than R100 million.
• Ezulweni told News24 that a writ of execution was served on the ANC, and that the Sheriff had subsequently attached the party's bank accounts and assets.

The Sheriff of the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg descended on the ANC's Luthuli House headquarters on Monday morning in search of assets. 

This was after events company Ezulweni Investments attached the party's accounts and other physical assets, in an effort to recover more than R100 million the party owes it for work done during the 2019 elections campaign.

A truck of the Sheriff was seen outside the party's headquarters in Johannesburg. It is understood that assets have not yet been removed from the building. 

A security guard who witnessed the arrival said the truck arrived early on Monday morning. 

"We saw the truck arrive and the Sheriff went inside the building. They stayed inside for a while before leaving. Nothing was taken," he said. 

Another security guard stationed inside Luthuli House explained that the Sheriff had asked to speak to a person in charge. 

Peter Fernando of Ezulweni told News24 that a writ of execution was served on the ANC, and that the Sheriff had subsequently attached the party's bank accounts and assets. 

READ | ANC is broke despite R1.9 billion worth of donations and fundraising

He said the company was determined to recover money owed to it by the ANC.

Fernando said:

The writ of execution reads: "You are hereby directed to attach and take … the movable goods of the execution debtor African National Congress at Chief Albert Luthuli House and of the same cause to be realised by public auction R102 465 000, 10% interest per annum from 1 September 2019 to 29 February 2020, 9.75% from 1 March 2020 to 30 April 2020 and 8.75% per annum for 9.75% from 1 March 2020 to 30 April 2020 and 8.75% per annum from 1 May 2020 until the date of payment in full."

The notice of execution, seen by News24, lists assets including desks, chairs, laptops, plasma TVs, lounge suites, fridges, microwaves, and couches. 

The assets are listed as from floors four to six, and also include boardroom tables, a round glass chair, and a water cooler. Their value ranges from as little as R200 up to R5000. 

Physical assets have not been removed, but rather catalogued by the Sheriff. Among these are laptops, couches and printers used at the ANC headquarters. 

The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed, with costs, the ANC's appeal against a High Court judgment that the party was responsible for the outstanding amount owed to Ezulweni.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri was not immediately available for comment.