/ 13 May 2010

ANCYL out to overturn Malema decision

Ancyl Out To Overturn Malema Decision

The ANC Youth League is planning to put pressure on the ANC’s national executive committee to overturn the decision of the party’s national disciplinary committee after it found youth league leader Julius Malema guilty of undermining President Jacob Zuma.

The Mail & Guardian has established that the youth’s secretary general Vuyiswa Tulelo will submit a report to the ANC’s NEC this weekend, outlining the league’s grievance regarding the outcome of the ANC’s national disciplinary committee — headed by deputy minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom.

The committee cleared Malema on three main charges, which included singing the “Kill the Boer” song in defiance of ANC directives, endorsing Zanu-PF and attacking the Movement for Democratic Change as a “Mickey Mouse party” during his visit to Zimbabwe, as well as embarrassing the party by verbally attacking a BBC reporter Johah Fisher.

However, Malema pleaded guilty and was forced to apologise to Zuma and the ANC after he implied that Zuma was worse than former president Thabo Mbeki.

Malema to be sent away
TheM&Gunderstands Malema opted for the plea bargaining route after Hanekom insisted his membership be suspended for two years or that he should be sent away to China or Cuba for the same period.

ANC treasurer general Matthews Phosa, who represented Malema, strongly objected to Hanekom’s proposal and questioned the motive behind his suggestions saying they were political. Malema’s legal team suggested entering into a plea bargain, which included a R10 000 fine and a two year suspended sentence.

However, the M&G understands the youth league will put pressure on the ANC to overturn the decision as this would set a wrong precedent for future engagements.

“What this decision means is that youth league leaders would not be able to speak in future. We must nip it in the bud before it is too late,” said a senior youth league leader, who preferred not to be mentioned.

On Thursday Tulelo told journalists that the youth league would approach the ANC to discuss procedural matters.

League members to pay
She also said the league’s national executive committee took a decision to establish a fund, which will see youth league members contributing money to pay Malema’s R10 000 fine.

Tulelo said ANCYL leaders would also attended the anger management course with Malema.

“We are of the view that Malema made the statements not in his personal capacity, but he was representing the views of the youth league.”

“Overall, the ANC Youth League does not have a problem with efforts and programmes that promote youth development and individual development and growth of its leadership, and will forever protect principles of the organisation.”

The M&G also understands that the league plans to question the involvement of Cosatu in the decision to charge Malema.

It is understood that South African Communist Party (SACP) Secretary General Jeremy Cronin was the first one to suggest during the SACP’s bilateral with the ANC that Malema be charged. Cosatu also suggested the same thing during its bilateral with the ANC.

“For us it is important that this decision is overturned because the ANC can not be controlled by Cosatu. They [the ANC] are just implementing decisions taken by Cosatu. The reality is that the ANC is run from Cosatu headquarters and we are not going to allow this to continue,” said the ANCYL leader.

Nationalisation of mines
The lLeague said it was more determined now than ever “in the struggles, advocacy for and campaign for the nationalisation of mines.

The ANC Youth League nationalisation of mines study-group will present a comprehensive report to the ANC on the nationalisation of mines study-tours once all countries that have been identified are visited.

“We appreciated the fact that the nationalisation of mines is on the agenda of the ANC and will be discussed in the ANC national general council and national conference in September 2010 and December 2010 respectively,” Tulelo said on Thursday.

Young Women’s Assembly
The National Executive Committee has also welcomed the youth leagues resolutions of the Young Women’s Assembly and endorsed the campaign’s One-Boyfriend-One girlfriend, and the campaign for the free provision of quality sanitary towels.

“The youth league will intensify the campaign to discourage multi-sexual relationships amongst all people in South Africa to reduce the scourge of HIV/Aids,” she added.