The African National Congress (ANC) is to meet its youth league leadership soon to discuss recent comments its president, Julius Malema, directed at Education Minister Naledi Pandor.
Spokesperson Jessie Duarte said on Friday this was not a disciplinary hearing, just a meeting with the league to discuss the matter.
Malema on Thursday apologised to Pandor for comments he made about her ”fake accent”.
In a copy of the letter addressed to Pandor, Malema said: ”I acknowledge that the remarks I made against you were uncalled for and might have disappointed and hurt you.
”I write this letter to unconditionally apologise for those remarks.”
Malema’s apologies come a day after he addressed hordes of protesters at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) where he accused Pandor of not intervening in the teachers’ and later the students’ grievances with management.
”She must use her fake accent to address our problems,” Malema told the crowd, who later became violent, throwing stones at police officers.
Malema’s comments were criticised by the ANC’s leadership, who said they suggested a lack of respect and dignity for the individuals concerned.
”The ANCYL is entitled to express its own positions and views. However, this should be done within the norms and culture of the ANC,” said spokesperson Jesse Duarte on Wednesday afternoon.
”There can be no excuse for the kind of utterances attributed to Malema.” — Sapa