Malema suspension upheld

2012-02-04 14:33

Johannesburg - Julius Malema on Saturday lost his appeal against his suspension, the ANC announced.

Other senior youth league members also appealed their sentences but all their appeals were denied.

Last month, Malema's defence team presented oral arguments to the NDCA detailing why Malema's five-year suspension from the ANC should be overturned, advocate Patrick Mtshaulana said.

Malema and other senior ANCYL leaders were suspended after being found guilty of sowing division within the ANC and of bringing the party into disrepute.

This was partly a result of comments made on bringing about regime change in Botswana.

ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, who was suspended for three years, and deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer-general Pule Mabe, secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa and deputy secretary-general Kenetswe Mosenogi, were also appealing their suspensions.

Part of the ANCYL's defence was to try and convince the ANC’s national disciplinary committee chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa that they had not been given a chance to argue in mitigation of their sentences.