* Latest measures against Malema escalate party infighting
* Last week Malema called Zuma government a ‘dictatorship’
* Malema’s future crucial in the run for ANC leadership
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By Jon Herskovitz
JOHANNESBURG, April 4 (Reuters) – South Africa’s ruling ANC
said on Wednesday it had temporarily removed party rebel Julius
Malema from his role as president of its Youth League and was
barring him from attending party meetings.
The move escalates rare public infighting at the country’s
most powerful party, punishing Malema days after he had called
President Jacob Zuma’s government a “dictatorship”.
“The temporary and immediate suspension of comrade Malema
will come into effect on Wednesday, 4 April,” an ANC
disciplinary panel said in a statement.
The African National Congress had already expelled Malema
from its ranks for breaking party rules but, pending an appeal,
had allowed him to stay in his post, address ANC rallies and
attend meetings.
If Malema loses his appeal, he will be definitively expelled
from the party. He is scheduled to have an appeal hearing next
week.
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