Malema pleads with ANCYL delegates to spare deputy

ANCYL president Julius Malema pleaded with delegates attending the national general council in Midrand not to fire his deputy Andile Lungisa.

ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu yesterday said delegates initially resisted when Malema persuaded them not to remove Lungisa.

"Malema told us that the impression will be created that there is a purge and since this was our first NGC it cannot be correct that it will be associated with such negative things. Delegates accepted but demanded that Lungisa apologise," Shivambu said.

Lungisa, who is also executive chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), survived a political storm after a motion of no confidence was raised against him last week.

ANCYL insiders told Sowetan yesterday that Lungisa was saved after ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe intervened.

But Shivambu denied that Motlanthe rescued the situation. He said Malema spoke to senior ANC leaders about the situation but there was no intervention.

But a source said a majority of delegates voted in favour of Lungisa's removal and when Motlanthe got wind of the situation he intervened.

Shivambu said Lungisa was given an opportunity to apologise and delegates accepted.

Sowetan understands that Lungisa felt humiliated when he apologised "for offending my comrades with my behaviour as NYDA chairperson. In my 17 years in politics I know no political home other than the ANCYL and I apologise for my behaviour".