By Siphiwe Sibeko
TZANEEN, South Africa, March 25 (Reuters) – South Africa’s
ANC youth rebel Julius Malema upped the stakes in his political
wrangling with the ruling party on Sunday, saying he would
challenge in court its decision to expel him.
The African National Congress expelled Malema from the party
in February for violating party rules, causing rifts in the
group and bringing the movement into disrepute.
“I said I would not go to court, but now I have decided to
do so,” Malema, the leader of ANC’s youth wing told thousands of
supporters at a rally at Nkowankowa stadium in his home province
of Limpopo, according to the South African Press Association.
“I need no mandate and act as an individual whose rights
have been violated.”
Malema was joined on stage by his friend an ally, provincial
premier Cassel Mathale, and South African Deputy President
Kgalema Motlanthe.
The gathering of the three men could be seen as a direct
challenge to President Jacob Zuma who faces a re-election race
for the head of the ANC at the end of this year.
Several members of the crowd wore t-shirts bearing
Motlanthe’s face and the slogan “Kgalema for President” although
Motlanthe has asked his supporters not to idolise him.
The ANC also frowns upon open campaigning for party posts
well ahead of the election.
Continued…
