Malema: 'Ego-driven force of destruction'

2012-02-06 16:08

Johannesburg - Julius Malema's political future and the ramifications of the ANC's disciplinary appeal outcome were a hot topic in editorials around the country on Monday.

The ANC's disciplinary appeals committee's decision to uphold a finding that he be suspended from the party "restores a sense of sanity to the political scene in SA", according to Business Day.

Because there was no further appeal, except to the party itself, "there is no escaping the fact that the decision to discipline Mr Malema and his closest lieutenants was an overtly political act".

Editor Peter Bruce wrote in his Monday column, The Thick End of the Wedge: "By the time the Hawks and the revenue service are finished with him, he may no longer wish he was even a South African."

Nationalisation of the mines as a topic for serious debate would disappear along with Malema.

However, it would be astonishing if Malema's departure "does not in fact, clear it for a new, perhaps hidden for now, threat to Zuma's leadership", Bruce wrote.

'An ego-driven force of destruction'

According to the Sowetan, people celebrating Malema's downfall in his hometown of Seshego, Limpopo seemed to be saying he no longer represented their ideals.

"No doubt, others who will celebrate Malema's downfall are the business people who have lost out in tenders because they did not belong to Malema's powerful group who allegedly fixed tenders using their political power."

Used to "fast track the establishment of the Polokwane regime", he was now dispensable.

The Citizen said President Jacob Zuma's "camp" had used Malema when it suited it to oust former president Thabo Mbeki, but realised too late that he was "an ego-driven force of destruction".

"Those who seek Zuma's downfall will no longer be able to use Malema as a front," The Citizen's editorial reads.

The Cape Times said Malema's political career was hanging "by the thinnest of threads".

The New Age said it had "become the norm for such people to make public pronouncements that ridiculed ANC leaders and other citizens in a manner not expected of party members".

"It there is a lesson to be learnt here it is that no member is greater than the ANC."

Factionalism

The Times said people burning a T-shirt with Malema's image in his hometown Seshego, and a low turnout of league supporters outside Luthuli House at the ANC's announcement of the outcome of Malema's appeal on Saturday, showed a man "alone".

Zuma should be relieved Malema had been weakened. Even if Malema backed another candidate for president he would not have the power of the league, The Times wrote.

According to The Star, Malema should have been fired in 2008 when he vowed to die and kill for Zuma.

"The president was silent then because Malema was advancing his cause."

It concluded that factionalism would continue to "paralyse" the party.

- SAPA