South Africa: Julius Malema expelled from ANC

May 13, 2017

By Erin Conway-Smith

Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) youth league, has been suspended from the party for five years, a disciplinary committee announced November 10, 2011.
STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN

Julius Malema, the controversial South African youth leader, has been expelled from the African National Congress, senior officials announced late today.

Malema, who is notorious in South Africa for his outspoken comments about race and nationalization of mines, among other subjects, recently lost an appeal of his five-year suspension as ANC youth league president.

In November, Malema was found guilty of "sowing divisions" in the party and “bringing the ANC into disrepute" by calling for Botswana's democratically elected president to be overthrown.

Malema was reportedly in his hometown of Seshego, near Polokwane in Limpopo province, when the verdict was reached today.

"Comrade Julius Malema is expelled from the ANC," the party's national disciplinary committee said in a statement, according to the South African Press Association.

His exile from the ANC "brings Malema's eventful political career closer to the abyss," Johannesburg's City Press said.

Malema's next option is the ANC's national disciplinary committee of appeal, which can overturn the expulsion. He has 14 days to appeal.

Malema and the ANC youth league's support was instrumental in bringing President Jacob Zuma to power in 2007, but the two have since fallen out. Malema recently praised Thabo Mbeki, the country's second democratically elected president who was ousted by Zuma and his backers.