Zimbabwean youth have handed a petition to the South African Embassy in Harare against the alleged persecution of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, Zimbabwe’s Herald Online reported on Friday.
The youth were from organisations like the Pan-African Youth Union, Zimbabwe Entrepreneurs Youth Action, Upfumi Kuvadiki, musicians and artists.
Presenting the petition to deputy South African ambassador Andy Makwabe in Harare on Thursday, Pan-African Youth Union deputy secretary-general Tendai Wenyika said: “We note with sadness the developments in the ANC that sought to tarnish the image and person of Julius Malema and the ANC youth league leadership.
“We hope the issue will be resolved amicably with a verdict that will see Malema and his executive completing their tenure. The role that Malema plays as a regional opinion leader in the fight for economic freedom should never be undermined.”
She said African youth supported Malema’s call for the nationalisation of mines and expropriation of land.
“Realising the need for an economic transformation as a matter of urgency that favours the black majority, these Pan-Africanist ideas are very noble.”
Malema and five co-accused are facing an ANC disciplinary hearing on charges of bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing divisions in ANC ranks.
The hearing will resume at 9am on Friday when the disciplinary committee will deliver its ruling on Malema’s application for the charges to be dropped.
On Tuesday, groups of youths purportedly supporting Malema and his four colleagues threw rocks, bottles and bricks at journalists and police in the Johannesburg CBD.
The violence subsided after Malema addressed them. — Sapa
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