Malema’s appeal to be heard in 3 days

JOHANNESBURG: ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema lodged an appeal with the ANC’S national disciplinary committee of appeal yesterday afternoon, SABC news reported.

The committee would consider argument in the next three days, according to the broadcaster.

Appeals were also lodged by ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu and secretarygeneral Sindiso Magaqa.

The three had until midnight yesterday to lodge their appeals against sanctions meted out against them by the ANC’S national disciplinary committee two weeks ago.

Malema was expelled from the ANC for sowing division in the party and bringing it into disrepute by unfavourably comparing the leadership style of President Jacob Zuma to that of former president Thabo Mbeki, and for remarks about bringing about regime change in Botswana.

He will remain ANCYL president until all options to overturn his expulsion have been exhausted.

Shivambu and Magaqa were also found guilty of sowing division and for bringing the ANC into disrepute.

Shivambu was suspended from the ANC for three years, for swearing at a journalist and for issuing the statement calling for a change of government in Botswana.

Magaqa’s three-year sentence was suspended for three years on condition that he apologise to Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, whom he insulted, within 15 days. He apologised.

Malema has remained upbeat despite his expulsion, promising not to give up the struggle for his position.

Should his appeal fail, he can ask the ANC’S national executive committee to review the matter. Should this also fail, he can raise it on the floor of the ANC’S elective conference in Mangaung in December. – Sapa