ANC's Youth League claims victory over mines

Slapped down at the National General Council of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) last week, the party’s Youth League is nevertheless claiming victory. Its leader Julius Malema says he’s managed to put nationalisation of South Africa’s mines squarely on the country’s political agenda.

Reuters

President Jacob Zuma last month poured cold water on the ANC Youth League call for nationalising South African mines.

The president insists this isn’t part of the ruling party’s policy plans.  But Youth League President Julius Malema told a media briefing he’s scored a goal by putting the subject front of mind, and getting the ANC to investigate the state taking a keener interest in key areas of the economy.

In his first public statement since the party’s national general council meeting last week, Malema denies the league is in the pocket of mining companies wanting the state to pick up the tab for the unprofitable parts of their operations.

He went on the offensive against Zwelinzima Vavi, who heads the trade union umbrella Cosatu, saying Vavi should face disciplinary action for calling some ANC leaders hyenas.

Malema was disciplined earlier this year for comparing President Jacob Zuma to his predecessor Thabo Mbeki.

He’s effectively serving a two-year suspended sentence that would see him expelled if he is found guilty of indiscipline.

But he’s yet to attend the anger management classes he was ordered to take.

The Youth League is calling for consistency by the party leadership and it’s seeking to have the sentence against Malema overturned.