African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema was forced to storm to the parking lot of Gallagher Estate on Thursday to try to get unhappy youth league members to cooperate and enter the hall where the league’s national general council was being held.
Members from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were unhappy about “political issues”, according to one of the members.
“Please comrades, we started very late yesterday [Wednesday], let’s go in,” Malema pleaded with the members when all eyes were fixed on him and his entourage.
This in turn led to one of the Eastern Cape group leaders taking charge and instructing members to proceed to the entrance following “Juju”.
The same action was repeated with the second group, who also obliged.
A few metres away, Malema ground to a halt yet again.
When asked what their gripe was, a member from KZN hesitantly cited “political issues”, while another warned the rest not to say anything to the media, who usually “twist facts”.
Another member was heard mumbling: “I don’t want to be a part of this,” while walking away from the group.
“If you are afraid you will be afraid forever,” said another group leader, while others around them cited their concern over the bad treatment they’ve received since arriving in Johannesburg for the three-day council.
The seating arrangement was also apparently a problem.
“We will not be forced to sit where they want us to sit,” some shouted.
It wasn’t long before the media was told to leave. They were told that what the group was discussing didn’t concern them.
After finishing their outside meeting, the groups dispersed towards the entrance.
Malema was by 1pm still locked behind closed doors continuing discussions on issues from Wednesday’s programme. Wednesday was affected by delays caused by late registration of some members.
Meanwhile, delegates were milling around waiting to be called in for discussions on nationalisation. — Sapa