NFP's second bid to contest election dismissed
The Electoral Court has dismissed the National Freedom Party's (NFP) second application to contest next week's local government election.
The NFP was disqualified from the election after it failed to meet a payment deadline.
The party says it respects the court's decision.
NFP acting national chair Bheki Gumbi says: "We are a party that respects the rule of law. However, this is a serious blow to the party. Our members are disappointed."
He believes the NFP's exclusion from the election will have a far-reaching impact.
"Many people will not vote because the party of their choice is not on the ballot. For the first time we were going to contest in municipalities in almost all of the provinces."
Gumbi says the party is looking forward to the next election.
"We now have to get our house in order and prepare for the next election."
The NFP says it cannot guarantee its members will not react violently to the party's exclusion from the polls.
"Our members are angry and frustrated, but I believe they are disciplined. However there's no guarantee if people will behave. We are urging them to keep calm as there will be other elections," Gumbi says.
The IEC argued that overturning its decision would be in violation of the Constitution.
South Africans will make their mark on Wednesday 3 August.