THE position taken by the ANC Youth League in support of its leader, Julius Malema, is expected.

It is symptomatic of the tendency among our politicians to hide behind the veil of privacy whenever their moral probity is challenged.

Malema is facing allegations that he has paid "millions of rands" in cash, received in exchange for favours to businesspeople, into the Ratang Family Trust.

Yesterday the ANCYL leadership explained why Malema had tried to interdict City Press from publishing the story, arguing that it was not necessary to write about its president's personal finances.

"The ANC Youth League is of the conviction that personal finances are private and the media should respect that and if there are suspicions of wrongdoing every citizen has a right to bring that to the attention of Law enforcement agencies," the league leadership said.

This has been Malema's defence when he was asked how he could afford such a lavish lifestyle on a R20 000 a month salary he claims to receive as ANCYL president.

The unfortunate reality is that both Malema and the rest of the ANCYL leadership are playing a game of smoke and mirrors.

None other than Judge Colin Lamont has captured their folly.

In his ruling against Malema's attempt to interdict City Press from publishing his story the judge said: "The public have a right to full disclosure on people in public positions, high-profile people and those who invite comment about them(selves)."