African National Congress president Jacob Zuma says he has advised Youth League president Julius Malema to desist from making controversial statements.
Zuma was speaking to the South African Broadcasting Corporation in Nelspruit where he was campaigning for next year’s elections.
He said the ANC had always ensured that there was discipline among its members.
Malema recently labelled former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa an irresponsible father and a security guard.
Shilowa was a security guard at the Star newspaper in central Johannesburg many years ago.
Zuma said he was aware of Malema’s recent attacks on Shilowa and he would address Malema when they met.
Malema generation
Malema is no stranger to controversy, and is well known for his inflammatory statements.
In September he vowed to ”eliminate any force” blocking Zuma’s path to the presidency.
Speaking at an ANCYL 64th birthday celebration, he told the media that the ”Malema generation” would be responsible for making Zuma president of the country.
”Whatever the judgement … come 2009, Zuma will be president,” said Malema.
”Any force in our way we will eliminate. We are on a mission here. We will crush you. It doesn’t matter who you are, even if you are in the ANC,” Malema said to loud applause.
Malema was elected as president of ANCYL on April 7 2008. – Sapa