Unruly protesters to face ANC's wrath

MALEMA PLAN BACKFIRES: * ANC officials mull action after youth league mayhem * Government wants probe over school disruption * Juju's school allies dump him

THE ANC is expecting regions in all provinces to take action against members of the youth league spotted on video footages trashing streets and burning President Jacob Zuma T-shirts during their violent protest at Luthuli House on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said yesterday that the matter has been discussed and that they expect provinces to act.

The party's National General Council decided in Durban in December that people who involve themselves in disreputable actions should be dealt with.

The ANC in Eastern Cape has already taken the lead, announcing yesterday that it was going after youth league members who were caught on television trashing streets and burning T-shirts in front of the party's headquarters on Tuesday.

"We expect more provinces to announce that they will do as Eastern Cape," Mthembu said.

Eastern Cape provincial chairperson Phumulo Masualle said they had already sourced video footage they would use to identify the culprits, whose actions Masualle equated to treason.

Police also announced yesterday that they were studying the footage and will arrest those involved.

Supporters of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema had running battles with police on Tuesday as they tried to storm Luthuli House, where the youth leader was set to appear before the party's disciplinary committee.

To avoid further disruptions, the ANC wanted to change the venue - but it reversed its decision after an objection from the league.

Malema, the league's spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, his deputy Kenetswe Mosenogi, and treasurer-general Pule Mabe are facing charges of bringing the ruling party into disrepute and sowing divisions in ANC ranks.

Yesterday, the ANC said it would discuss on Monday what action to take against the ANCYL leadership.

It is unclear what that action will be but indications are that further charges - for burning the ANC flag, throwing stones at police and journalists, and disrupting business - might be added.

The government is also planning to take action against the ANCYL for disrupting classes.

Gauteng education MEC Barbara Creecy said: "We have court orders stopping people from disrupting classes. With Cosmo City (Secondary School), we are aware that the guy who is leading the learners is an ANCYL member (Thapelo Bodila).

"We have asked the league to investigate on what basis this young man is involved in our schools.

"If people take learners out of classes while we have a court interdict against that, we will call the police. You cannot take learners out of schools and send them to a protest they know nothing about."

Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini has described those who led the protest as "questionable forces that need to be isolated".

"We need to find ways to isolate the agenda that seeks to set the movement against its own people," he said.

The situation outside Luthuli House remained quiet yesterday after a group of less than 50 turned up. Some of them wore T-shirts with the face of former president Thabo Mbeki, while singing songs about toppling the government.

The waning support could also be ascribed to the stand taken by Cosas that schools must not be disrupted.

Cosas president Bongani Mani said: "This week is the week in which matriculants begin writing trials. We call on the police to act against those busy disrupting the culture of learning and teaching."

Malema's disciplinary hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.