Limpopo turns its back on Malema

THE ANC in Limpopo said it would abide by the decision of the national leadership to bar expelled youth leader Julius Malema from participating in its meeting and activities.

"There is no other ANC in Limpopo and we are therefore entitled to respect that decision," said party provincial spokesman Makonde Mathivha yesterday.

Malema was elected additional member of the provincial structure of the ANC in Limpopo during the party's provincial watershed elective conference in Turfloop in December last year.

His election into the PEC gave him the right to participate in the day-to-day activities of the party.

His political ally and friend, Cassel Mathale, was re-elected party provincial chairman, defeating Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Joe Phaahla.

Political analyst Elvis Masoga said yesterday that the decision to suspend Malema would result into the expelled youth leader being isolated and alienated from the ANC.

"Malema was moving from province to province trying to garner support in an effort to fight Zuma at the Manguang conference. This means Malema can no longer speak to any member of the ANC in a formal forum as that would beamount to being in defiance," Masoga said.

"The other thing is that the suspension has created an impression that even the national disciplinary committee's verdict on his appeal might be a little bit harsher than it could be had he not been suspended."

ANC NEC member and the party's chairman of the national disciplinary committee of appeals Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday at the Luthuli House that Malema's appeal would be heard next week Thursday.