A year's compulsory military service for the youth and free legal services for the poor were among the proposals heard at the EFF's elective conference in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

In order for the country's youth to be disciplined, it should be mandatory for those who finished matric to spend a year in the army, Khotso Morapela told delegates.

He was reporting back on the outcome of discussions by a commission on justice and correctional services.

The Economic Freedom Fighters would further change how police and justice department conducted investigations and prepared for court cases.

"No one is to be incarcerated until there is valid evidence," Morapela said.

"It looks like the SAPS and justice department arrest people only to release them later due to lack of evidence. That is wasting taxpayers' money."

He said delegates had resolved the party should attract lawyers who would be prepared to represent the poor in court, for free. People had to be taught about the law.

"We need to review the justice system. We need to teach communities about how the law works," he said. 

'Invade unoccupied land'

The Economic Freedom Fighters on Tuesday called for the invasion of unoccupied land in the country.

"We must invade unoccupied land and also engage the Legal Resources Centre to assist those who have occupied land," party member Shelly Mokhothu told delegates at the party's elective conference in Bloemfontein.

She was reporting back on decisions by a commission on land and agrarian reform.

Mokhothu said those who lodged land claims should occupy the claimed land. She said European settlers had given people jackets and bicycles in exchange for vast tracts of land.

"That was how land was taken from us. The law that says you do not own the minerals beneath the soil should be scrapped," she said to loud applause from delegates.