Youth league to raise Malema issue from floor

Julius Malema. Picture: Leon Sadiki/City Press

The ANC Youth League is today expected to pull the last card to try to convince the ANC to reinstall its former president, Julius Malema.

League national executive committee member Abner Mosaase confirmed this morning that the league will raise the issue from the floor during a plenary session of the ANC’s national conference in Mangaung later today.

“We haven’t identified anyone to speak yet, but we will raise it,” he said.

The conference is Malema’s last hope for reinstatement, but after the overwhelming re-election of President Jacob Zuma, Malema’s arch-enemy, the chances of sympathy from the delegates are slim.

Malema and suspended league spokesperson Floyd Shivambu wrote a letter to conference this week asking to be reinstated and hinted at court action if this didn’t happen.

Mosaase said if the league’s appeal to the ANC’s conference was unsuccessful they would elect new leaders. This would require a special conference.

A league leader said it was unlikely that the ANC would disband the league as had been threatened in the past. “We have a good understanding now,” the leader said.

When Malema was expelled the league said it would defy the ANC and not appoint an acting president, but a few weeks ago ANC deputy president Ronald Lamola had a public fall-out.

Lamola has since labelled himself acting league president.