Intense lobbying is taking place within the ANC, in particular the party’s national executive committee (NEC), to save ANC Youth League president Julius Malema from undergoing any disciplinary action.
Three ANC sources told the Mail & Guardian this week that Malema’s allies have been lobbying NEC members to pressure the ruling party into discussing possible disciplinary measures at this weekend’s special NEC meeting so as to foil action expected to be taken against Malema and possibly his top five officials as well.
The ruling party and its youth league have been at odds with each other since the “Young Lions” announced three weeks ago plans to establish a “Botswana command team” to unite the opposition in that country against “the puppet regime” led by President Ian Khama’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
“The BDP-led Botswana is a footstool of imperialism, a security threat to Africa and always under [the] constant puppetry of the United States,” said a youth league NEC declaration.
The league apologised for the declaration and withdrew it when it became apparent that the ANC’s senior leaders were taking it seriously.
Youth league structures are anxious that Malema could be singled out as a result. Disciplinary action was not discussed at last Monday’s national working committee meeting as expected, but was left to the ANC’s top six officials.
An NEC member who is also a provincial leader said leaving the matter to the officials was the correct move. “It would be incorrect to discuss the matter in the NEC because according to the constitution of the ANC, the NEC is the last body for appeals. It cannot discuss a disciplinary issue that might land up with it later.”
It is not clear how much support Malema would enjoy in the NEC should the matter be discussed this weekend.
But those close to the officials said he would be unlikely to escape lightly if they (the top six) had the final say on his fate.
Under Malema’s thumb
There seems to be more determination than ever to discipline him to dismiss the notion that Malema has President Jacob Zuma so under his thumb politically he can get away with any type of disrespectful behaviour towards the party’s leadership.
Last year’s disciplinary hearing against Malema resolved that he should serve a two-year suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to disrespecting Zuma.
He landed in hot water when he said, outside of ANC structures, that not even former president Thabo Mbeki had dealt with the league as Zuma had done. But Malema’s allies said the disciplinary action was not “successful” because it did not enjoy the support of many in the NEC.
This time it is debatable how united even the top six officials are, the M&G understands.
In last year’s disciplinary hearing he was represented by treasurer general Mathews Phosa, one of the top six and a lawyer by profession.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and the party’s deputy secretary general, Thandi Modise, are also said to be in sympathy with him and to favour a soft approach involving merely an apology and a suspended sentence.
Modise is seen by the youth league as a mother figure who would not embarrass it by reprimanding it in public, even if she thought it was wrong.
“She would rather call us to the side and talk to us about that. She doesn’t play to the gallery,” said a supporter of Malema in the youth league.
Defenders
Phosa is expected to offer his services to defend Malema again.
But M&G sources within the ANC claim that this time Motlanthe, in spite of his perceived closeness to the youth league, might not oppose disciplinary measures because of the damage the league’s Botswana utterances had inflicted on South Africa in that country and elsewhere.
“Kgalema is principled, he wants to lead by example. He would not go with them [the youth league] on this one,” said an NEC member.
However, Motlanthe is said to be recommending that senior officials not rush into taking harsh measures, but should first consider options such as political education.
Those who sympathise with the youth league and Malema say Motlanthe used to be able to get the youth league in line without causing a commotion, even though the league was equally outspoken under the presidency of Fikile Mbalula.
“When he [Motlanthe] heard that the ANC Youth League was going to release a statement he would go to it and say, ‘let me see your statement’. He’d advise them. He was the youth league’s father figure.
“Right now, the youth league doesn’t have a father figure. With these ones [the current leaders] they let you talk in public and you are taken to a disciplinary case. There’s no engagement at all,” said Malema’s ally, who is also a government official.
Since last year Motlanthe’s name has been punted for president of the ANC in a plan that is likely to oust Zuma next year, when his term ends.
This weekend’s NEC meeting starts with just one agenda item: Zuma’s political overview.
It could present an opportunity for other discussion, including possible disciplinary action against Malema alone or against the top five officials of the youth league as well, said NEC members.
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