D-Day for ANCYL President Julius Malema

Johannesburg - The African National Congress will announce on Thursday the verdict of a disciplinary hearing that could derail the political career of outspoken ANC Youth League Julius Malema

The ANC will hold a news conference at 10:00, but Malema will not attend proceedings while he tackles examinations - details of which are not forthcoming - in Polokwane.

The firebrand youth leader, who has been a leading advocate for the nationalisation of mines, has been charged with bringing the party into disrepute and with sowing division within party ranks.

Earlier this year, he said the ANCYL would send a team to Botswana to consolidate local opposition parties and help bring about regime change.

Malema subsequently apologised for the remarks.

His co-accused, ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer general Pule Mabe, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa and deputy secretary general Kenetswe Mosenogi are expected to be present.

"The ANCYL places it on record that we subject ourselves to the discipline and guidance of the ANC," the league said in a statement.

"The leadership of the ANCYL will only speak publicly about the disciplinary proceedings and outcomes after every little detail of the DC [disciplinary committee] has been concluded."

The Star newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, reported on Wednesday that the chairperson of the ANC's disciplinary panel, Derek Hanekom, had recommended Malema be suspended for a year.

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