Uncertainty over Malema charges
2010-05-03 07:25
Cape Town - It’s as clear as mud what is going to happen regarding ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema on Monday.
According to the ANC, Malema has to report to Luthuli House on Monday to face a disciplinary hearing.
The ANC Youth League, however, says this is not the case. They say the party's national working committee (NWC) - which will meet early on Monday morning - will first have to make a recommendation regarding a disciplinary investigation.
This follows a recent statement by the leadership of the ANC that it has presented Malema with complaints regarding his "deviant behaviour".
In a follow-up statement, the party confirmed that secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has launched disciplinary action against the outspoken youth leader.
Advised to plead guilty
Disciplinary committee chair Derek Hanekom (deputy minister of science and technology) will be in charge of the disciplinary process.
Other members of this body include Zola Skweyiya (South African high commissioner in London), Ayanda Dlodlo (ANC MP and President Jacob Zuma's Parliamentary advisor) and Collins Chabane (minister in the Presidency).
It was reported on Sunday that Mathews Phosa has advised Malema to plead guilty in order to be given a lighter punishment. Apparently Phosa will be representing Malema in accordance with the ANC constitution.
Phosa did not want to comment on Sunday, and insisted that the case is an internal ANC affair.
The exact nature of Monday's proceedings, however, remains unclear. Although the ANC has stated that it has begun disciplinary action against Malema, it is unclear whether he has been presented with any formal complaints.
ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu could not provide any clarity on the matter, and Jackson Mthembu, the party's chief spokesperson, was not available.
Speculation
The youth league itself, however, is of the opinion that its leader will not be brought to book any time soon. Magdalene Moonsamy, ANCYL spokesperson, said media reports about the pending disciplinary action amount to nothing more than uninformed media speculation.
She said, with apparent reference to Mantashe, this speculation is fed by the statements "of individuals" who drive such a process.
"It is very difficult to respond to these reports because nothing has been formally tabled that would indicate that the president (Malema) will be disciplined. The ANC itself has not yet decided on the matter officially, and we have received nothing from the secretary-general's office," Moonsamy alleged.
City Press has quoted Malema as saying that he is unaware of any disciplinary action against him, and that he won't be in Johannesburg on Monday.