'ANC must adhere to the rules'

SENIOR advocate Patrick Mtshaulana says he will ensure that ANC disciplinary procedures are followed to the letter when he represents Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu.

Malema, who is the first accused, will appear today and Shivambu tomorrow to face charges of bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing divisions within its membership.

Mtshaulana, a former uMkhonto weSizwe combatant, told Sowetan yesterday that he was drafted into the case late.

Mtshaulana is a member of the Duma Nokwe group of advocates. The Sandton-based group of lawyers is named after the late Nokwe who was first African advocate of the Supreme Court of the Transvaal and an ANC stalwart.

"I am meeting Malema and Shivambu today. I have not held consultations yet. I am not sure whether I will also be representing all the other ANCYL members who have been charged," Mtshaulana.

"I do not wish to comment further about the case except to say that we will assist in making sure that the disciplinary procedures are followed."