Cape Town, South Africa - The suspension of fiery African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader Julius Malema has sent shock-waves throughout South Africa and there is a growing consensus that it will have a major impact on President Jacob Zuma’s political future.
Malema was ordered to vacate his position as president of the organisation after the ruling party’s disciplinary committee found him guilty of provoking serious divisions and bringing the organisation into disrepute.

He was also sanctioned for comments he made about former President Thabo Mbeki and for calling for regime change in Botswana. Opposition parties have hailed the ANC’s decision to suspend Malema. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Youth Brigade said the ruling vindicated its previous calls for action to be taken against Malema, while the African Christian Democratic Party said the ruling sent a strong message to the youth of the country that ill-discipline in any form would not be tolerated. 

Meanwhile, the Youth League on Friday said it had already found an argument to appeal against the suspension of its leadership. Secretary General Sindiso Magaqa said Malema was not given the opportunity to present mitigating circumstances ahead of the suspension. 'This is one of the most basic and primary rights which is afforded to any person who is charged in any forum. Even the most hardened of criminals enjoy this basic right,' he said in a statement.

Pana 11/11/2011