The ANC was creating a "smokescreen" through its "mixed messages" on the censure of its youth league president Julius Malema, the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng said on Tuesday. "Amidst all the confusion and contradiction, one thing is clear: the ANC has no intention of subjecting Julius Malema to a proper disciplinary hearing," said Gauteng MP Sejamothopo Motau. Motau said confusion reigned as ANC deputy secretary general Thandi Modise said charges may be brought against Malema, while youth league officials said charges were already dropped.
"The ANC is clearly buckling under the pressure. "That, in turn, raises a very serious question about who is really in charge of the ANC. Is it Jacob Zuma? Is it Julius Malema?" The party said failure to censure Malema would "expose" Zuma as a "president who is unwilling to make principled decisions" and "unable to confront rogue elements inside his own party".
The DA's comments follow a media briefing during which Modise said the ANC had "preferred" charges against the ANCYL president. ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi said this meant it had an "intent" to charge Malema. "It's a legal term basically meaning that there is an intention... but mind you, it's an intention, that intention can change."
