Cape Town, South Africa - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Monday night publicly rebuked its Youth League after its firebrand leader called for “regime change” in neighbouring Botswana. ANC Youth League President Julius Malema this weekend claimed that Botswana's government was “a serious threat to Africa”. He was speaking at the ANCYL's National Executive Committee meeting in Johannesburg.

Malema said he knew that Botswana was “in discussions to open a military base for the imperialists”, and that the present government of Botswana had the potential to co-operate in this matter. 

He added that there was now a vacuum on the ideological and political leadership of Africa and the sub-region, and that this was reflected by how the issues of Libya and Cote d'Ivoire were “mishandled”.

But the ANC said the statement by the ANCYL was a total deviation and an affront to the ANC policies.

According to the ANC, its Youth League had insulted President Ian Khama, the government and the people of Botswana.

“A threat to destabilise and effect regime change in Botswana is a clear demonstration that the ANCYL's ill-discipline has clearly crossed the political line,” said ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu.

He said Pretoria was well aware that if it were not for Botswana and many other countries in the region, continent and the world, South Africa would not be enjoying the freedom and democracy today.

“The ANC respects Botswana's sovereignty and its strong democracy. We also respect the freedom and the right of the Batswana to elect their own government. We equally respect the choice of the people of Botswana to be governed by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

'Contrary to the perception of the ANCYL, the African Union (AU) and South African Development Community (SADC) are strong and continue to discharge their functions with distinction, particularly as it relates to advancing the African Agenda,” he added.

Pana 02/08/2011