A year in politics is a long time and now Malema is fighting for his political life
LAST year this time ANCYL president Julius Malema appeared unstoppable in his project to campaign for leadership change in the ANC.
His targets were and are President Jacob Zuma and secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.
But a year in politics is a long time and now Malema is fighting for his political life.
His disciplinary hearing ended on Sunday and he will know his fate in the next few days.
Malema not only has troubles in the ANC but various government agencies are looking into his finances and depending on their findings criminal charges might be brought against him.
The Hawks are said to be investigating him for fraud, money laundering and corruption.
The South African Revenue Services is checking if he has been paying tax, while the Public Protector is probing Limpopo companies linked to him.
Malema's political career in the ANC could come to an end like that of other leaders who thought they were invincible and bigger than the organisation.
If he is not acquitted he is likely to be suspended for no less than a year.
Thabo Mbeki was pushed out of power after his attempt at seeking a third term as ANC president.
His main crime was that he had isolated a number of senior leaders, who in the end worked with Zuma to topple him.
Other leaders like Mosiuoa Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Smuts Ngonyama joined the Congress of the People hoping that many ANC supporters would follow them, but today the party is falling apart.
Malema should not forget that other ANC leaders who were hauled before the disciplinary committee received heavy sentences.
Bantu Holomisa and the late Sifiso Nkabinde were expelled.
This is a clear sign that the ANC brings charges against leaders after concluding that they had reached a dead end.
But Malema's supporters in the ANC national executive committee are hoping to save him when the matter reaches the NEC at the end of the month. For them to save him would mean the anti-Zuma campaign ahead of the ANC elective conference would continue.
Malema is the face of that campaign and has insulted leaders who differ with him in the name of the youth league.
His likely suspension or expulsion could silence him.
But Zuma should be warned. Malema's supporters will make it difficult for his already shaky government to govern in peace. He should be ready for lengthy, high-profile appeals and victimhood mobilisation.
It could be rocky.
Juju at the critical point
A year in politics is a long time and now Malema is fighting for his political life
LAST year this time ANCYL president Julius Malema appeared unstoppable in his project to campaign for leadership change in the ANC.
His targets were and are President Jacob Zuma and secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.
But a year in politics is a long time and now Malema is fighting for his political life.
His disciplinary hearing ended on Sunday and he will know his fate in the next few days.
Malema not only has troubles in the ANC but various government agencies are looking into his finances and depending on their findings criminal charges might be brought against him.
The Hawks are said to be investigating him for fraud, money laundering and corruption.
The South African Revenue Services is checking if he has been paying tax, while the Public Protector is probing Limpopo companies linked to him.
Malema's political career in the ANC could come to an end like that of other leaders who thought they were invincible and bigger than the organisation.
If he is not acquitted he is likely to be suspended for no less than a year.
Thabo Mbeki was pushed out of power after his attempt at seeking a third term as ANC president.
His main crime was that he had isolated a number of senior leaders, who in the end worked with Zuma to topple him.
Other leaders like Mosiuoa Lekota, Mbhazima Shilowa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Smuts Ngonyama joined the Congress of the People hoping that many ANC supporters would follow them, but today the party is falling apart.
Malema should not forget that other ANC leaders who were hauled before the disciplinary committee received heavy sentences.
Bantu Holomisa and the late Sifiso Nkabinde were expelled.
This is a clear sign that the ANC brings charges against leaders after concluding that they had reached a dead end.
But Malema's supporters in the ANC national executive committee are hoping to save him when the matter reaches the NEC at the end of the month. For them to save him would mean the anti-Zuma campaign ahead of the ANC elective conference would continue.
Malema is the face of that campaign and has insulted leaders who differ with him in the name of the youth league.
His likely suspension or expulsion could silence him.
But Zuma should be warned. Malema's supporters will make it difficult for his already shaky government to govern in peace. He should be ready for lengthy, high-profile appeals and victimhood mobilisation.
It could be rocky.
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