The ANC national disciplinary committee (NDC) procedures against youth league leader Julius Malema have been postponed, the party announced on Thursday.
After initial indications that the meeting would continue in Malema’s absence, Malema’s lawyers requested the meeting be postponed, following reports on Wednesday the youth leader had been admitted to hospital with flu like symptoms in Limpopo.
“We can’t elaborate but Mr Malema’s lawyers made a submission to the NDC to have the hearing postponed. It was duly considered and this is our action taken. If a comrade is sick, a comrade is sick,” ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza told the Mail & Guardian.
The youth league president faces several charges of misconduct relating to comments he made on calling for regime change in Botswana, and unfavourably comparing the leadership of Jacob Zuma and his predecessor Thabo Mbeki.
This is not the first time the hearing has been postponed since it began on September 6 at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, where violent clashes erupted between Malema supporters, police and journalists.
Following the clashes, the ANC moved the process to Kibler Park, south of Johannesburg, where it was postponed on September 18 until October 6.
Youth league secretary general Sindiso Magaqa would not comment on Malema’s condition.
“We released our statement yesterday [Wednesday], it remains the same and we won’t be answering questions until further notice,” Magaqa told M&G.
The hearing is due to recommence on October 15.