Julius Malema: South Africa’s ANC bans youth league leader

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa's ruling African National Congress has banned Julius Malema, its outspoken youth leader, from all party meetings and activities.

Malema was expelled from the ANC last month after being found guilty of bringing the party into disrepute. But has been allowed to continue as president of the ANC youth league during the appeals process.

The most recent sanctioning by the ANC's leadership came after Malema called South African President Jacob Zuma a "dictator" during a speech at Johannesburg's Wits University.

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Malema's comments constituted a "very serious violation" of the party's constitution, the ANC's disciplinary committee said in a statement.

"He will not attend any meeting of the ANC or any of its structures, including the leagues, except for the purpose of the NDCA [national disciplinary committee of appeal] hearing and the pending disciplinary proceedings to be instituted against him," the committee's chairman Derek Hanekom said.

"He will not make any public statement on any matter pertaining to the ANC."

The six most senior ANC leaders, in what was intended to be a show of unity, on Tuesday released a statement condemning Malema's "alien behavior," South Africa's Business Day reported.

Malema's appeal against his expulsion from the party will be heard on April 12.

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