Backers of the ANC youth league president's rival to lay last-minute ambush for JuJu at conference

LEBOGANG Maile campaigners are desperately banking on delegates at the ANC Youth League conference in Midrand next week to turn the tables against Julius Malema.

The plan is to encourage delegates to "ambush" Malema by nominating Maile from the floor and vote him into power.

Maile's campaigner, Mbasa Metuse, said: "We are telling comrades that it is a secret vote, and nobody will be victimised for supporting Maile. Maile is still in the race and his chances are 50-50.

"Maile has not abandoned the race for the ANCYL presidency, it is a strategy for members who support Maile to lie low and not pronounce his name until the national conference.

"The fact that provinces have nominated Malema does not mean a thing. What will count is what happens at the national conference."

Chances of Maile securing nomination from any of the five provinces -- Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape -- which will hold their provincial general councils this week, appeared slim after his own province, Gauteng, also voted for Malema.

Malema also got the nod from Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and North West to lead the ANCYL for a second term.

Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape were confident that their delegates would unite behind Malema despite reports that they would support Maile.

The four provinces which have concluded their general councils have nominated Malema as a preferred candidate to serve a second term, Ronald Lamola of Mpumalanga as deputy president, Sindiso Magaqa from KwaZulu-Natal as secretary-general, Keneitswe Mosemogi from North West as deputy secretary, and Pule Mabe to remain treasurer.