ANCYL repeats Nedbank threat

2009-10-03 11:00

Cape Town - The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) on Saturday repeated the threats of its leader, Julius Malema, against Nedbank.

Malema on Thursday threatened to "mobilise society" against Nedbank following a decision to withdraw its sponsorship from Athletics SA (ASA).

ANC spokesperson Brian Sokuto told Beeld Malema's comments were not ANC policy.

On Saturday morning the ANCYL in a press release echoed Malema's comments.

"The African National Congress Youth League calls on Nedbank to retain its sponsorship to Athletics South Africa (ASA), particularly if their withdrawal is premised on what they call negative publicity of ASA."

The League accused Nedbank of trying to roll back the development of Athletics in South Africa.

"The ANCYL will mobilise all patriotic South Africans, corporations, institutions and government departments that bank with Nedbank to withdraw their accounts from the bank and switch to other banks if the sponsorship is not retained.

"We place it on record that this is not a threat, but a promise with a purpose of ensuring that banks and corporations understand that they have a responsibility to invest in the development of our communities," the statement said.

Malema's comments were made after meeting with ASA president Leonard Chuene, who has been embroiled in controversy around the Caster Semenya gender saga.

Chuene apologised 10 days ago for lying about claiming that he had no knowledge of the gender tests, which were done before and after Semenya won a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

- News24