The African National Congress (ANC) has distanced itself from statements attributed to African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema about a nightclub in Cape Town “belonging to the ANC”.
The ANC had no interest in running a nightclub or in endorsing its owners, its secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Monday.
“The ANC is not into nightclubs or partying, but is a revolutionary movement,” Mantashe said.
This followed reports that Malema had warned Western Cape Premier Helen Zille to keep her liquor laws away from the “ANC’s nightclub”.
Malema was apparently referring to the upmarket ZAR club, launched in Cape Town’s Waterfront on Saturday, at which sushi was served on half-naked women.
The launch party was reportedly attended by scantily dressed models and was overflowing with champagne.
The club is owned by tycoon Kenny Kunene. Kunene also runs another upmarket venue by the same name in Johannesburg.
‘Defamatory, insensitive, and undermining’
Kunene, reportedly Malema’s new best friend, also allegedly indicated that Malema had his vote if he ever ran for president.
Mantashe said in a statement marked as urgent: “The African National Congress distances itself from sentiments allegedly attributed to the ANC Youth League President, [comrade] Julius Malema.
“We furthermore reiterate our condemnation to the act of serving sushi on a woman’s body, as this act is anti-ANC and anti-revolutionary.
“The act is defamatory, insensitive and undermining of a woman’s integrity. We therefore appeal to all those involved in this act to immediately disengage from it,” said Mantashe. — Sapa