THE ANC is expected to publicly state the fate of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema today.
Those close to the case said the only charge which prosecutors felt strongly about was his utterances on regime change in Botswana.
The party's national disciplinary committee (DC) has been mulling over evidence heard during the lengthy hearing that was initially marred by violent clashes between Malema's supporters and police outside the ANC's headquarters Luthuli House in Johannesburg.
The committee will today hand down its verdict on Malema and his co-accused - his deputy Ronald Lamola, general-secretary Sandiso Magaqa, his deputy Kenetswe Mosenogi, treasurer-general Pule Mabe and spokesman Floyd Shivambu. If found guilty, the sentence will be announced at a later date.
Sowetan understands that the prosecuting team has advised the DC that Malema be found guilty only on the Botswana-related charge. Malema had said the league would campaign for regime change in that country.
Prosecutors also recommended that he gets a suspended sentence on this charge. The disciplinary committee, however, has a right to exercise its discretion on the verdict.
Malema is facing other charges of sowing division within the ANC and bringing it into disrepute. Together with Lamola, Magaqa, Mosenogi and Mabe, they are also charged with storming into an ANC meeting attended by President Jacob Zuma.
The ANC has invited the media to a press briefing at 10am today about its verdict.
Should Malema be found guilty, he would continue in his position until sentencing, after which he will have 14 days to appeal. It is also possible for the DC to announce the verdict and the punishment.
Political analyst Elvis Masoga said Malema would be re-energised should he be found not guilty.
"We are likely to see a more radical Malema if the outcome of the DC favours him. It will be the beginning of the end of his political career if he is found guilty," said Masoga.
Another political analyst, Professor Somadoda Fikeni, said the ANC's DC would find one or two charges that would stick on Malema. "Out of the many charges, he will be found guilty on one or two charges ... the ANC cannot afford to lose everything. A symbolic punishment will be imposed and there will be a long process of appealing."
Malema's future hangs in balance
THE ANC is expected to publicly state the fate of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema today.
Those close to the case said the only charge which prosecutors felt strongly about was his utterances on regime change in Botswana.
The party's national disciplinary committee (DC) has been mulling over evidence heard during the lengthy hearing that was initially marred by violent clashes between Malema's supporters and police outside the ANC's headquarters Luthuli House in Johannesburg.
The committee will today hand down its verdict on Malema and his co-accused - his deputy Ronald Lamola, general-secretary Sandiso Magaqa, his deputy Kenetswe Mosenogi, treasurer-general Pule Mabe and spokesman Floyd Shivambu. If found guilty, the sentence will be announced at a later date.
Sowetan understands that the prosecuting team has advised the DC that Malema be found guilty only on the Botswana-related charge. Malema had said the league would campaign for regime change in that country.
Prosecutors also recommended that he gets a suspended sentence on this charge. The disciplinary committee, however, has a right to exercise its discretion on the verdict.
Malema is facing other charges of sowing division within the ANC and bringing it into disrepute. Together with Lamola, Magaqa, Mosenogi and Mabe, they are also charged with storming into an ANC meeting attended by President Jacob Zuma.
The ANC has invited the media to a press briefing at 10am today about its verdict.
Should Malema be found guilty, he would continue in his position until sentencing, after which he will have 14 days to appeal. It is also possible for the DC to announce the verdict and the punishment.
Political analyst Elvis Masoga said Malema would be re-energised should he be found not guilty.
"We are likely to see a more radical Malema if the outcome of the DC favours him. It will be the beginning of the end of his political career if he is found guilty," said Masoga.
Another political analyst, Professor Somadoda Fikeni, said the ANC's DC would find one or two charges that would stick on Malema. "Out of the many charges, he will be found guilty on one or two charges ... the ANC cannot afford to lose everything. A symbolic punishment will be imposed and there will be a long process of appealing."
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