Julius Malema has offered to resign from the ANC Youth League, but his comrades are refusing to accept his resignation, the youth league said on Monday.
“Comrade Malema offered to resign but we told him this is not even about him. This is about our resolutions — that is all!” league national executive committee member Kenetswe Mosenogi told a press conference on Monday.
Although the league planned to appeal against the expulsion of Malema and fellow leaders from the ANC for sowing division and bringing the party into disrepute, it told reporters it would effectively disregard the sanctions imposed upon them until after the ruling party’s elective conference in Mangaung at the end of the year.
Surrounded by members of the league’s NEC as well as senior provincial leaders, suspended secretary general Sindiso Magaqa confirmed that the league would “go all the way” to fight the various expulsions and suspensions visited upon its leadership — starting with the appeal, then by lobbying the ANC NEC and finally, as a matter of last resort, by taking it up at the Mangaung conference in December.
Treasurer general Pule Mabe, however, ruled out a path through the legal system: “We can’t clarify this enough: We won’t take the ANC to court!”
Strong and silent
Malema, while present and accounted for in his beret and aviator glasses, did not speak at the press conference, which continued with a procession of youth league leaders who come forward to express their support for their leaders.
First up was Mabe, reading out a statement that sought to dispel rumours reported on in the press that he had his eye on Malema’s job.
“We are one and remain one, comrades!” said Mabe. “The press must cease and desist from using my name to try create divisions within the ANC Youth League.”
Provincial support
The provinces were next, with various regional leaders stepping up to staple their colours to Malema’s mast.
“Charges or no charges, Limpopo supports Malema and the current leadership of the league,” said that province’s chair, Frans Moswana.
“The ANC must convince us as a collective that the ANCYL has done wrong,” exclaimed the Northern Cape’s Shadrack Tlhaole. “Until then we reject the suspensions.”
“The matters our leaders are charged for are political and require a speedy political solution,” said the young lions’ chair in the Eastern Cape, Ayanda Matiti. “These charges against the youth league are tantamount to killing the ANC itself.”
North West’s chair Papiki Baboile underlined unity within the league’s position: “These policies are taken as a collective,” he said. “The ANC must understand that.”
Ayanda Kasa, secretary of the youth league in Gauteng, reiterated the desire for a political solution: “We are unshaken. We request the ANC to sit down with our leaders and solve this politically.”
Meanwhile, Lamola said the youth league would support Cosatu’s national strike and march on Wednesday, and called on all South Africans to join the mass action.
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