ANC slams reckless statements

2008-06-17 14:22

Pretoria - The ANC on Tuesday cautioned against inflammatory statements, following ANCYL president Julius Malema's assertion that the youth of South Africa were prepared to die in support of party president Jacob Zuma.

Without referring directly to Malema's statement, the party on Tuesday said it wanted to caution against "any statements or actions that may inflame emotions or undermine the principled position the organisation has taken".

The ANC reiterated that the ANC Youth League was an autonomous body within the overall structure of the ANC.

"As such, it is entitled to articulate its own policies and positions on public platforms," ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte said in a statement.

AFP quoted ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe as saying that "the statement was reckless".

"It does not represent the official position of the ANC as a political party. We want the Youth League to support the party but it should not make reckless statements".

'Prepared to die for Zuma'

During a rally in the Free State on Monday, Malema told the crowd: "We are prepared to die for Zuma. We are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma".

On Tuesday the ANC said all its members were entitled to freely express their views and opinions within the structures of the movement, including discussion on matters of leaders.

The ANC also said it respected the independence of the judiciary. The ANC would defend against any attempts to undermine the judiciary's integrity, and urged all South Africans to respect due legal process.

However the party reiterated its concern over the treatment of Zuma by the National Prosecuting Authority over the past eight years, and said it would demonstrate its support for him when he went to court.

- SAPA