Move ANCYL hearing, law firm urges

2011-09-03 14:28

Johannesburg - A law firm situated in the Johannesburg CBD said it would file an urgent application with the High Court in Johannesburg to have the ANC move the youth league's disciplinary hearing from Luthuli house, the Saturday Star reported.

"Should you after today [Friday] proceed to conduct the disciplinary hearing in the Jo'burg CBD, we and other businesses in the CBD will proceed with an urgent application to the South Gauteng High Court requesting an order against your organisation directing you to move the disciplinary hearing from the CBD and also directing the SAPS and Metro Police to desist from blocking roads," BDK Attorneys said in a fax sent to the ANC, according to the newspaper.

The report said BDK Attorneys which was based on the corner of Market and Simmonds Streets, had suffered major losses as potential and existing clients refused to enter the CBD because they feared for their safety.

"We cannot confirm or deny receiving the letter," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said on Saturday.

The ANC on Tuesday said it would change the venue of the hearing after rioters thronged the Johannesburg city centre throwing broken bricks and glass at police and journalists.

Sowing divisions

Mthembu said the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) would make the final decision on when or if to move venues.

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema was brought before the NDC on charges of bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing divisions in ANC ranks.

Malema said the ANCYL would send a team to Botswana to consolidate local opposition parties and to help bring about a regime change, as it believed the government there was "in full co-operation with imperialists" and undermining the "African agenda".

Charged with him are ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer general Pule Mabe, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa and deputy secretary general Kenetswe Masenogi.

- SAPA