* His ANC career is on the rocks after suspension upheld
* But he could remain a political figure to watch
* Malema reminded ANC that needs of poor have not been met
* He rattled investors with calls for mines nationalisation
By Marius Bosch and Pascal Fletcher
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 4 (Reuters) – In less than four
years, ANC youth leader Julius Malema turned himself into an
outspoken irritant for South Africa’s ruling party as he
regularly and pointedly reminded its leaders how they had failed
the country’s poor majority.
On Saturday, after an African National Congress appeals
panel upheld his suspension for bringing Africa’s oldest
liberation movement into disrepute, the banishment of the
youthful rebel from party ranks seemed complete.
The panel nevertheless decided to allow Malema and fellow
suspended ANC Youth League colleagues an additional hearing to
argue for a lighter penalty than his five-year suspension.
A speedier return to the party may not salvage his ANC
career, but some believe he could remain a player in South
Africa’s political scene, ahead of a key ANC leadership
conference due at the end of this year.
Continued…
